Zayin: More than a Sword

I am sitting at my computer, looking out the window. What a beautiful site. I am currently in Fayetteville, AR. where I feel like I am living in a huge garden. (Ok…let me be super transparent:  it’s more like a hothouse, which is why I am inside where I have air conditioning and two fans blowing directly on me and not outside!)  It's gorgeous here, despite the humidity. Lush and green. So of course I am thinking about the letter ZAYIN. Aren’t you? 

Most people when thinking about the Hebrew letter Zayin (ז), they imagine a sword. (Which it is). Their minds may come up with images of  warfare, destruction, and battle. And certainly a sword can be used in that way, but I wonder if we sometimes miss the bigger picture of the letter Zayin and its story.

What if the primary story of the Zayin is not destruction at all?

What if it the primary story is all about fruitfulness?

Think about it. Zayin is the pictograph of a sword, but not only a sword…  a tool, an implement. A tool can be used to prepare the soil, prune the trees, cut away dead branches, dig holes for planting, harvest crops, and protect what has already been planted. Suddenly the picture becomes much larger than a sword hanging at someone's side.

The Zayin is multi-functional.

It prepares.

It protects.

It cultivates.

It harvests.

That is the beauty of this letter.

The Father is always at work in His garden, and the Zayin reminds us that healthy gardens require activity. Seeds do not simply appear in mature form. Someone has to prepare the ground. Someone has to dig the holes. Someone has to trim away what no longer serves the plant. Someone has to protect the young growth until it becomes strong enough to stand on its own.

Have you ever considered that today may be the day you are digging holes for someone else's future harvest?

Perhaps you are investing in a child, encouraging a friend, teaching a student, serving in a ministry, or simply showing kindness to a stranger. You may never be the one who sees the full harvest, yet your work still matters because gardens are rarely the result of one person's labor.

In fact, has it occurred to you how many people have gone before you and dug holes or cut down overgrowth, dug up rocks, so that you could simply drop a seed into the ground and cover it up?

Someone prayed.

Someone taught.

Someone sacrificed.

Someone opened a door.

Someone made a way.

Because they were faithful in their assignment, you and I are able to step into ours.

There is something freeing about understanding this. Having a productive life and operating in our intended purpose is a tremendous blessing, but it is also a tremendous responsibility. The good news is that we are not responsible for the entire garden. We are only responsible for the portion entrusted to us. We are part of the community. Each of us perfectly fitted together to do our little piece for the day! 

And really, we are only responsible for today's portion.

Tomorrow has enough work of its own.

So as you step into this day, ask yourself: What does the Zayin look like in my hands?

Am I digging?

Am I pruning?

Am I defending, protecting?

Am I trimming away what hinders growth?

Or perhaps today is the day of harvest.

What a wonderful thought.

Whatever your assignment may be today, embrace it with joy, because every healthy garden depends upon faithful gardeners who are willing to do their part.

Thank you for doing your part so that I can do mine. You matter. Your contribution makes a difference. 

Now, Get out there and be fabulous! 

Brenda