By Kathryn McElveen-

It started as a simple project. I wanted to build a raised garden bed and try my hand at organic vegetable gardening. Within a short span of time one bed grew to seven; vegetables grew to include herbs, three types of berries, grapes, flowers and apple trees. The result has required the help of my husband and children, wisdom from local farmers and gardening books, and quite a bit of work.

Seeing the juice of fresh strawberries dripping off the wide grin of my two year-old has made it worth the effort. Formerly, my yard had a difficult time growing grass, but seemed a very suitable environment for growing weeds. Now it has become a place of fruit-bearing.

Because I work with leaders, I am often asked, “Are leaders born or made?” With gardening on the brain, I recently answered, “Leaders are grown.”

Leaders don’t exist, thrive, or fail to thrive in a vacuum. Just like the seeds in my garden, leaders excel or wither within an ecosystem. A tiny seed contains enormous potential. Unlocking that potential depends on factors too numerous to name.

Not only do different seeds turn into different plants, they all have unique requirements for things like nutrients, water, light, dormancy, support, air circulation and soil conditions. Each is vulnerable to different diseases or pests. The “companions” with whom they are planted will either help or hinder them. As the gardener, I can choose to treat all my plants like tomatoes. And only the tomatoes will thrive.

A sower went out to sow . . . some seed fell on the path . . . the rocky ground . . . among the thorns . . . other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain.

Agricultural metaphors abound in scripture and bring to mind powerful questions: How are you uniquely gifted? When you are healthy, what fruit do you produce? What are you producing now? What feeds you? What are your “requirements” for space and rest? How do you manifest the signs of “disease” and stress? How can you amend your environment to make it hospitable for growth?

Kathryn McElveen is an ordained United Methodist minister and President and Founder of inVision Ventures, a faith-based coaching firm, in Greenville, SC.