Every year for as long as I’ve been married, I’ve always had a garden. This year I am trying something different (and hopefully a little easier!) It is a container garden. So, my deck is laden with different containers in various stages of growth. So far, most are doing pretty good, and I’ve already been having some good salads! If you have some pretty pots, it’s an easy thing to do. I have herbs, radishes, cukes, beets, and even zuchinni(I’ll tell you later how that works out). Just make sure you have good potting soil and water them often, especially now with the hot weather!
Down through the years, the time I’ve spent in the quiet of the garden, mindlessly pulling weeds, have been some of the best times for God to speak to me. As I dig deep on the root of some big weed, He reminds me how sin is like that weed. It may start out small enough and seemingly innocent, but the next thing you know, it has grown out of control and takes a lot of work to get it out! It’s a good idea to keep your”garden” clean and pull those weeds while they are small. He has also reminded me that He is the Master Gardener. Faithfully, tenderly, watering, fertilizing, tilling, and trimming, so that I will yield an abundant harvest. He doesn’t give up on me when I’m droopy or have broken leaves from intense heat or storms. He quietly works in the depths of my heart, reminding me of what lies ahead. Sometimes, when I think things are going great and I have big leaves, He decides I need trimming, so that I can bear fruit and not just shiny leaves. But He always knows best, and fills me with just the right kind of nourishment.
Jesus talked about different kinds of soil and the places seeds would land when they were sown(Luke 8:5). Some seed fell by the side of the road where it was walked on and snatched by birds. Some seed fell on rock. It tried to grow, but had no water and thus, no root. Some seed fell into the brier-patch, and the thorns choked it out. But then, there was the seed that fell in the good soil. It was rich and ready for the seed, and produced a great crop! Jesus went on to explain that the seed is the Word of God, and the different soil is our hearts. The seed on the side of the road are the ones who hear the message, but the devil quickly snatches it away and it is lost. The seed on the rock are the ones who hear the word with joy and quickly accept, but have no real commitment, and when things get tough they fall away. The seed among the thorns are those who hear, but allow the cares and things of the world to choke out their spiritual life. The seed on the good ground are the ones who hear the Word and soak it in. They allow it to go deep into their heart and the Holy Spirit makes it part of them. Then, they bear fruit.
We also must decide what kind of soil our hearts will be. At different times in life maybe you have found yourself in one of the not-so-good categories. Don’t lose heart! You don’t have to stay there. Ask the Holy Spirit to till and cultivate the soil of your heart and help you understand the Word of God. Let it go deep and change you. He is the God of second chances and there is always hope and a future with Him. He is just waiting for your willingness to let Him work and bring an incredible harvest! Happy gardening!