I had a pile of dirt dropped off in my yard and then had to spread it all around. When the pile of dirt arrived, it was much more than I expected. Nonetheless, I was grateful to have the dirt pile and started working on spreading it. Almost six hours later, I felt like I had barely shoveled any dirt, the pile remained huge. I felt overwhelmed as I went inside for the night as it was too dark to see the dirt pile. The next day, I went outside refreshed by my prayer time in the morning and ready to see what God wanted to teach me.

Lesson #5: There were times when I was tiring out, but when you are weary, stay focused on God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” So whether you have enough energy to soar like an eagle or enough energy to run or only enough energy left to walk – God will meet you where you are and give you strength to keep going.

Lesson #6: There were times when I lifted a heavy load of dirt wrong and caused pain in my muscles. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”. During those moments when I did not do something quite right or twisted the wrong way, God was right there to protect me. I had to focus on the blue sky, feel the breeze, be grateful for the dirt and be grateful that I could move and lift and garden. I am so grateful that God protects and loves us always, He is always right there – even in a daily task like shoveling dirt.

Lesson #7: Doing the right thing does not mean there will be no issues. The dirt was going to be disposed of. Instead, I requested that the dirt be dumped in my yard because the dirt came from the same land as mine and in my opinion needed to stay on the land; I thought that was the right thing to do. The lesson here is that just because you are doing the right thing does not mean there will be no issues or problems. In fact, many times when you are trying to do the right thing, there are more problems as the enemy tries to thwart your efforts to do the right thing.

Lesson #8: Pace yourself. Ecclesiastes 9:11 says. “The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle.”  Take your time and move at a pace that your body is comfortable with, take breaks and talk to God. Pray and listen to Him versus running yourself ragged. Hebrews 12:1 says, “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Notice that this verse says ” with endurance”, not speed.

Lesson #9: If you can, find someone to accompany you in your task. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. ¹⁰ For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” If you can find someone to help you physically with your task or through praying, two are better than one.

Lesson #10: The most important lesson from the dirt pile is a personal one that may also apply to you as we enter a new year. I learned through the dirt pile that God is still talking. He is talking all the time, but sometimes the busyness of this world drowns Him out. As I shoveled dirt for hours, there was nothing to take my attention away from God. I removed myself from the noise of the world, got into nature and just had a conversation with God.

When was the last time you put the phone away, turned off the television, and went to be alone with God? Jesus did. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” In this new year, may we spend more time in prayer than we ever have before, may we create time and space to just be with God, the lover of our souls. This new year, there will be hustle and bustle and there will be problems and hurt – that is life. Make a relationship with God your priority every day and you will be filled with a peace that surpasses human understanding.

Let’s pray using Solomon’s prayer of blessings. “Lord God, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, who keeps the gracious covenant with your servants who walk before you with all their heart. You have fulfilled your promise by your power as it is today. Therefore, Lord God, listen to your servant’s prayer and petition, so that you may hear the cry and the prayer that your servant prays before you today. When your people return to you and praise your name, may you hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people. When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and when they return to you with all their heart and all their soul and when they pray to you, may you hear in heaven, their prayer and petition and uphold their cause. May you forgive your people, and may you grant them compassion. May your eyes be open to your servant’s petition and to the petition of your people, listening whenever they call to you.” In Jesus name we pray, amen.