By Nigel Pollock, InterVarsity President & CEO

“Don’t mix your metaphors” was a lesson impressed upon me as a student of English literature. These usually result from two ideas in a confusing way. “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it change it’s spots” or “It’s not rocket surgery”.

The great thing about metaphors is that they give different insights into understanding something.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul uses two metaphors for his work. He is not mixing them in a way that blurs his meaning but combining them to give complementary perspectives. He uses ideas from farming and building.

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. … (1 Corinthians 3 v 8-11)

Agricultural and architectural ideas are used at different points in the Bible. In my recent newsletter I spoke about “The Biggest Little Farm” reflecting on some lessons from farming. I have also been considering some lessons from building and I share some thoughts on those in this video update.

I appreciate your partnership as we continue to farm and build together.

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