God’s Design in the Soil

When we kneel to plant a seed, we engage with one of the most powerful metaphors for God’s design: soil. From dust we were made, and to dust we return (Genesis 3:19).

But in the space between, God calls us to steward this precious substance as a living, breathing network of life.

Healthy soil is not just dirt; it’s a dynamic ecosystem. Fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and earthworms all interact in harmony to feed plants, retain water, and store carbon. It’s a divine collaboration hidden beneath our feet. In permaculture, we don’t just use soil—we build it. We protect it with cover crops, mulch it with organic matter, and avoid tilling it unnecessarily. In doing so, we mimic God’s patterns of creation and renewal.

Jesus often used soil as a spiritual metaphor. In the parable of the sower (Luke 8), different types of soil represent different conditions of the heart. Good soil receives the Word with gladness and bears much fruit. As we care for the earth’s soil, we must also care for the soil of our hearts in nurturing humility, obedience, and love.

Our modern agricultural systems often deplete and degrade soil in pursuit of yield. But God’s way is abundance through balance. He invites us to work with creation, not against it. Through composting, sheet mulching, and planting perennials, we join a quiet revolution of regeneration when restoring what has been broken and participating in God’s healing of the land.

This week, let us consider what kind of soil we are tending, both in our garden, and in our hearts.

Are you building up or breaking down? Are you cultivating life or are you depleting it?

This Weeks Call to Action:

Start a small compost pile this week. It’s a simple, sacred act of returning nutrients to the earth and participating in God’s cycle of life. As you do, pray for the soil of your heart to be rich, humble, and receptive to receive His life-giving Word.

To support our ministry work, and to help grow Eden Homestead, please consider planting a seed by making a donation: