God has called us to fulfil a purpose here on earth. He has also blessed us with the tools (our gifts and talents) required to execute that plan, to work the ground and care for it. In Genesis 2:4-5, we learn that even before the fall of man, God had called man to work and had equipped man with the tools to accomplish that task.
Based on Joshua Komolafe’s analogy, our tools metaphorically take on four different physical means. Using your hands to tend the ground symbolizes operating in an area that doesn’t allow your gifts to flourish. You achieve results at a slow rate because you find no fulfilment in that work, hence you are unproductive and frustrated.
On the other hand, working the ground with a trowel signifies working operating in an area that favours your gifts. There is less struggle to achieve good results because you have placed yourself in an environment which allows your gifts to surface.
Thirdly, tending the ground with a shovel implies understanding your gifts and acquiring the relevant skills to sharpen your gifts and talents. This results in a very productive outcome.
The best tool of all four at working the ground is a digger. The digger denotes understanding your gifts and talents, positioning yourself in the right location so that they can surface, acquiring the appropriate skills to improve on them and working together with the Holy Spirit to achieve supernatural results. Note that, a higher level of productivity attracts a greater level of responsibility as explained in Luke 12:48.
In conclusion, we must pray to uncover our gifts and talents, position ourselves in the right location and to attain the necessary skills to enhance them. Most importantly, we must seek direction from the Holy Spirit to be able to execute our talents accurately.
