In 2003, an Iowa man created a farming technique he called “Sonic Bloom.” Dan Carlson said that he started to notice that early in the morning before the sun was up the birds would start chirping. He said that it wasn’t just a random noise from one or two birds, but that he noticed a chorus of a very specific frequency. The farmer was curious as to why this was happening and why at such a specific time. It would happen an hour before sunrise and go until an hour after the sun was up. As Dan did further research, he found something else. Dan was a Bible-believing man, and as he was reading through Genesis, he read about how God watered the earth before the days of Noah. As many of you know, there was no rain before Noah. Dan wondered how then could plants grow? In Genesis 2:5-6, it talks about how God brought the rivers up and watered the plants. As Dan looked at all his findings, he realized that all plants have a part by the leaves that opens up to allow water and nutrients to nourish the plant. What Dan discovered is that the birds' frequency activated this part early in the morning as dew would form. The birds worked almost like an alarm clock for the plants, and the mist from the earth would rise and water the plants, just like in Genesis. What Dan created was a current version of what he believed to be the original gardening technique. He took speakers out to his farm and would play the frequency (which he found to be in most classical music) of the birds every morning as he attempted to recreate the natural alarm clock. This became known as “Sonic Bloom.”
Dan was just a normal man. He was a hard-working veteran. But his neighbors and the townspeople thought Dan had lost his marbles. I’m sure he was the punch line of many jokes. Doesn’t that sound just like someone else from the Bible? A crafty boatmaker, perhaps? However, just as the rain came for Noah, so did the results for Dan. Dan’s crop was consistently better year after year. It not only grew by 700%, but the quality was off the charts! Corn would have three stalks growing out of one seed, the husks had no dead spots, and the stalks were 15 feet tall. Cantaloupes were the size of soccer balls. One of his house plants that should only live for nine months and grow at most to be about 24 inches is now in the Guinness Book of World Records. It grew to over 1,300 feet. He ran the vines from room to room and the plant lived years instead of months. It’s safe to say that what Dan Carlson was doing was working.
I love this story because it really shows two main things that I believe to be so critical to our growth as Christians. First, is that the Bible is not just a book. It is a user guide, marriage counseling book, study guide, self-help book, a how-to manual, and so much more. The more we read and know the Word of God, the more we know our Father in heaven. It is so important that we read and desire to learn from the complete Truth of God. The second is the importance of what is spoken over you. Dan realized that this frequency from the birds wasn’t just noise. It had a physical effect on the plants as well; the noise he played caused a physical reaction. Can we not see this today in our world? We sit on our phones and allow the noise of Facebook, Instagram, news channels, and friends from high school to enter into our minds and cause a physical reaction. The things we invite to be spoken into us are often directly responsible for the issues we face. I had a person come to me who struggled severely with anger. I asked to see their Spotify playlist. Sure enough, it was filled with angry and hate-filled music. I simply asked them to take a break and listen to nothing at all or to listen to just Christian music for one week. They agreed and when that week was up, they reported having the most patience and peace they ever had. When will we learn that what we listen to is what will have an impact on us?
I challenge you this week to look objectively at your life and ask, “What do I need a break from hearing?” It may be a loved one’s opinion of you, it may be an artist or playlist, it may be a thought you keep speaking over yourself. Whatever it may be, I encourage you this week to take a break. Stop listening to it completely. But that’s not all. You need to replace it with Truth. Listen to worship music, to an audio version of your Bible, or a sermon from a trustworthy preacher. It’s not enough to take away the bad, we need to plant good in its place. If you do this, I have a feeling you will see terrific results. I am praying for a “sonic bloom” in your life that exceeds 700% in growth and quality of life that's off the charts!
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