As
spring continues to tease us with its arrival, it is time to start thinking
about the garden. Right now, our garden is still covered in a thick layer of
snow, but it won’t be long before that is gone. Then it will be time to plant.
The question every year is what we should plant. Last year the rabbits did a
number on our garden, chewing off all of our beans. We will probably try for
beans again, if we can keep the rabbits out. (I really have to find the hole in
the fence and fix it.) We tried sweet corn one year, but that was a disaster.
Before any of it was ready to be picked, the squirrels ripped down the ears and
carried them off. We always plant tomatoes; probably too many of those. We’ll definitely
put in a few onions. Maybe we’ll plant some cucumbers and squash. You have to
be careful with those. They tend to take over the garden. What will you plant
in your garden?
The
Bible uses the idea of planting as an analogy of our life. Each of us is like a
fertile garden plot. Into this garden, we have the opportunity to plant all
kinds of things. The things we plant will determine the crop that our life
produces. It is important then to be careful about what we plant. Do
not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who
sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the
one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
Paul tells us that the
seeds we need to plant in our garden come in a package called the fruit of the
Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) These are the seeds
that grow a godly character. The very foundation of our life is our character.
If our character is faulty, then everything we do will be distorted. If our
character is solid, then our actions will be positive and productive.
In order for the seeds in our
garden to grow, we need to water them regularly. Last summer it was a constant
task, because of the drought. I have been hearing that we might have the same
conditions this year, if we don’t get some good spring rains.
Our spiritual garden needs to be
watered regularly as well, if we hope to produce a harvest of righteousness.
Paul gives us some practical instructions on watering our garden. Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about
such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)The quality of the water we use
affects the outcome of our garden. There is much polluted water in our world
that stunts our spiritual growth. If we focus on all the negative things in our
world, we will become discouraged and stop growing. We need to seek the pure
water of the Word of God that can produce robust spiritual growth in our lives.
Every year seeds blow into our
garden that we do not want. They produce plants that rob the soil of its nutrients,
and can even choke out the good plants, if left unchecked. So we have to spend
time weeding out the undesirables.
In the same way, unhealthy
spiritual seeds blow into our lives all of the time. They can quickly take
root, and if left unchecked, they can take over our garden. We cannot ignore
these interlopers. We have to actively and aggressively root them out. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God
forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
Spring is a time of optimism as
we plant our garden. Whatever we choose to plant will dictate the harvest we
produce. What will you plant in your spiritual garden this year that will
produce a more Christ-honoring life?
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