I thought I might start a sporadic series here I'm calling God's Economy. These might be things that just hit me throughout my week. You know, things that make you go "hmmm" in a spiritual way. Things we in the US, and in the Western world in general, might care about, but I wonder if God cares one little bit.

Today, in the midst of allergy season, while having one of the worst allergy days I've ever had, I needed to mow the lawn.

I hate mowing the lawn. In fact, hate may not be a strong enough word. I passionately despise mowing the lawn, so that may be most of what I'm feeling here.

I remember our pastor back in Charleston, after he had returned from a long missions trip to Russia, commenting that the Russian people by and large did not mow their lawns. They just let their yards grow, unless they have a garden, then they pull grass and weeds as necessary.

So, I'm wondering here, would it make any difference at all in God's economy if I did not mow my grass? I know I can't do it, the local ordinances and neighbors wouldn't allow it, but that's the point. Something like mowing the grass is a chore we've collectively decided is a civic duty because it LOOKS good.

I'll admit, I love the look of a well-manicured lawn, but in days of old only the rich and powerful could afford such a thing. Now, in our affluent culture, where even the poorest among us in many cases would be considered rich on another continent or another time, mowing the lawn is just one of the basics of everyday life.

Even our churches keep their lawns well maintained, and would likely see a drop in attendance and visits if we just let them go. There's something inside me that has a problem with that.

Not saying we should abandon our lawns and let them become wildlife preserves, but really, should it make a bit of difference if we did?

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