Last week I had the opportunity to tour a Cacao Farm. I love chocolate! And I love gardening and plants and anything growing! So what could be better! I have been struck with several spiritual insights as takeaways from my farm tour.
In order for the Cacao Farm to be successful it requires four different types of trees:
- Nitrogen-fixing trees
- Windbreak trees
- Shade trees
- Cacao trees
The land where the Cacao Farm is located has very poor soil quality. After 150 years of sugar cane growing, the land was left completely depleted and devoid of nutrients. The first thing the Cacao Farm owners did was to plant nitrogen-fixing trees, to add nitrogen and nutrients back into the soil so that the soil could become healthy once again.
The property where the Cacao Farm is located is on a barren slope, relentlessly subjected to constant whipping winds. Brand new baby cacao leaves are very fragile and thin. Relentless winds can be damaging to the growth of cacao trees because the wind can rip the tender new leaves right off. A key factor for a successful Cacao Farm was to plant windbreak trees to block and buffer the winds.
The dry barren slope where the Cacao Farm is located is in a desert ecosystem. The sun is intense, with temperatures in the upper 80’s-90’s. While there is plenty of rainfall in the hills just a few miles to the east, and the water is diverted (via diversion channels) to water the farm, the cacao trees are vulnerable to being sun-scorched if grown in the direct sun. Cacao trees are an understory plant and can only grow in the shade of taller trees. Therefore, another key component for a successful Cacao Farm was to plant shade trees.
And finally, there are the cacao trees. The owners have planted many different varieties! All kinds of different types of cacao trees, all growing together in the nitrogen-fixed soil, protected by the windbreak trees, and underneath the protective cover of shade trees.
The Church is a lot like that Cacao Farm. As members of the Body of Christ, we each are one of those types of trees.
- The Church needs “nitrogen-fixing trees” … those among us who will enrich our lives with the teaching of the Word.
“Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” – 2 Timothy 4:2
“… He gave some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” -Ephesians 4:11-12
- The Church needs “windbreak trees” … those among us who are not afraid of buffeting winds of conflict; those who will stand up strong for the protection of the weak and vulnerable among us.
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap …” – Ezekiel 22:30
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” -Psalm 82:3
- The Church needs “shade trees” … those among us who will offer shade from life’s relentless scorching heat. These are the encouragers.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” -1 Thess. 5:11
“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear;” -Isaiah 35:3-4
- The Church needs “cacao trees” … normal, everyday Jesus-followers, who are wholly devoted to love and serve Christ! All different kinds of Jesus followers! From many various backgrounds, and many varied personalities! All living and growing together in unity, as one “Cacao Farm” … the Church!
“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” -Romans 12:5-6
“God has combined the members of the body … so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” -1 Cor. 12:24-25
The owners of the Cacao Farm first began their endeavor back in 2013. It wasn’t until 2019 that they finally had their first actual cacao harvest, from which they were then able to produce chocolate. It takes time! Years and years of patient cultivation and caring for the farm. Patience. And Hope.
That’s the Church. We are just like that Cacao Farm. God is the gardener. God has planted some of us to be the “nitrogen fixing trees” in His garden. God has planted some of us to be the “windbreak trees” in His garden. God has planted some of us to be the “shade trees” in His garden. God has planted others to simply love and grow and produce fruit for His glory. Which tree are you?
We may not see a huge harvest right now. But God is “gardening” us and tending our church for a great harvest that He has planned! So we grow … with patience! And with hope! And with anticipation of the great Kingdom harvest that God will bring!
