A farmer is helpless to grow grain; all he can do is provide the right conditions for the growing of grain. He cultivates the ground, he plants the seed, he waters the plants, and then the natural forces of the earth take over and up comes the grain...This is the way it is with the Spiritual Disciplines - they are a way of sowing to the Spirit... By themselves the Spiritual Disciplines can do nothing; they can only get us to the place where something can be done.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of preparation and creating the right environment for growth, both in agriculture and spiritual practices.
Richard J. Foster's quote draws a parallel between farming and spiritual disciplines, highlighting that while one cannot force growth, one can provide the necessary conditions for it. Just as a farmer must cultivate the soil, plant seeds, and nurture the plants, individuals practicing spirituality must engage in disciplines that open them to spiritual growth. The ultimate outcome, however, relies on natural forces beyond their control, symbolizing the importance of patience and understanding that true growth comes from a higher power.
In practice
During a workshop on personal development, this quote can remind participants to focus on their practices rather than just outcomes.
Go another step. Try to live one entire day without words at all. Do it not as a law, but as an experiment. Note your feelings of helplessness and excessive dependence upon words to communicate. Try to find new ways to relate to tohers that are not dependent upon words. Enjoy, savor the day. Learn from it.
Jesus Christ and all the writers of the New Testament call us to break free of mammon lust and live in joyous trust...They point us toward a way of living in which everything we have we receive as a gift, and everything we have is cared for by God, and everything we have is available to others when it is right and good. This reality frames the heart of Christian simplicity. It is the means of liberation and power to do what is right and to overcome the forces of fear and avarice.
Love, not anger, brought Jesus to the cross. Golgotha came as a result of God's great desire to forgive, not his reluctance. Jesus knew that by his vicarious suffering he could actually absorb all the evil of humanity and so heal it, forgive it, redeem it.
Humility, as we all know, is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. The more we pursue it the more distant it becomes. To think we have it is sure evidence that we don't.
When we determine to dwell on the good and excellent things in life, we will be so full of those things that they will tend to swallow our problems.
The Spiritual Disciplines are things that we do. We must never lose sight of this fact. It is one thing to talk piously about 'the solitude of the heart,' but if that does not somehow work its way into our experience, then we have missed the point of the Disciplines. We are dealing with actions, not merely states of mind.
When intelligent and sensible people despise knowledge in their old age, it is only because they have asked too much of it and of themselves.
Take the risk of thinking for yourself. Much more happiness, truth, beauty and wisdom will come to you that way.
What distracts us will begin to define us. We don't need to swing at every pitch.
That which is false troubles the heart, but truth brings joyous tranquillity.
Remember you come here having already understood the necessity of struggling with yourself — only with yourself. Therefore thank everyone who gives you the opportunity.
Those who prepared for all the emergencies of life beforehand may equip themselves at the expense of joy.
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