From Grass to Grace: Lessons from Your Lawn

I was awakened early this morning by someone mowing their lawn. As I lay there listening to the roar of that engine, I thought about how mowing the lawn relates to our walk of faith. Here are my thoughts:

*Regular Maintenance Prevents Overgrowth

Just as grass grows continuously and requires regular cutting to stay healthy and manageable, our spiritual lives need consistent attention. When we neglect daily prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship, spiritual “weeds” like pride, bitterness, or worldly desires can quickly take root and choke out our relationship with God. Regular spiritual maintenance through daily disciplines keeps our hearts tender and receptive to God’s voice, preventing sin from becoming overgrown and unmanageable in our lives.

Scripture: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

*The Work Requires Patience and Persistence

Mowing a large lawn isn’t accomplished in one quick pass—it requires methodical, back-and-forth effort to cover every area. Similarly, spiritual growth happens through consistent, often mundane daily choices rather than dramatic one-time experiences. Reading through difficult passages in Scripture, praying when we don’t feel like it, and choosing forgiveness in small daily conflicts may seem insignificant, but these faithful acts create the beautiful, well-tended garden of a mature Christian life over time.

Scripture: “Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.” (Galatians 6:9)

*The Results Benefit Others

A well-maintained lawn doesn’t just benefit the homeowner—it beautifies the entire neighborhood and reflects care for the community. When we faithfully tend our relationship with God through daily spiritual practices, the results extend beyond our personal benefit. Our patience with difficult people, joy in trials, and servant’s heart become a testimony that draws others to Christ. The “curb appeal” of a life well-lived for God makes the gospel attractive to our neighbors, coworkers, and family members who are watching how we live.

Scripture: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

The beauty of this comparison lies in recognizing that both lawn care and spiritual growth require us to embrace the rhythm of faithful, ordinary work. There are no shortcuts to a beautiful lawn, and there are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. Both demand that we show up consistently, even when the work feels routine or when we don’t see immediate dramatic results. Yet in both cases, the cumulative effect of faithfully tending creates something that brings glory to God and blessing to others. Just as a well-maintained lawn becomes a place of rest and beauty for family and neighbors, a life faithfully cultivated through daily communion with God becomes a sanctuary where others can encounter His peace, love, and truth. The mundane work of pushing the mower mirrors the sacred work of walking with Christ—both transform ordinary ground into something that reflects the careful attention of someone who understands that small, consistent acts of faithfulness yield a harvest that glorifies the Father.