Welcome to the National Garden Month!
How many of you LOVE being outside in the garden, flower bed, front yard, park, or whatever outdoor space you have available?
A huge majority of people claim that they would rather have the opportunity to be outside for a portion of their day than be inside all day.
Being outside is scientifically proven to help regulate blood pressure, reduce stress, and increase motivation.
Why is that, you may ask? Well, my opinion is that we were created to live in nature, and more specifically, a garden.
After all, the first humans, Adam and Eve, were created and placed in a perfect, weed-free garden. What a beautiful place Eden must have been!
There are many references to gardening in the scriptures. For one, Jesus went to the garden at Gethsemene to pray shortly before his crucifixion.
Additionally, the scriptures use many growing and gardening references to help teach us about spiritual concepts.
In fact, Matthew chapter 13 has multiple parables spoken by Jesus himself that are spiritual lessons taught through gardening.
Paul also uses similar references in his epistle to the church at Galatia when he expounds on what characteristics should be present in a thriving christian’s heart through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. These characteristics are referred to as “The Fruit of the Spirit” and follow directly after the contrasting list of the works of the flesh.
Paul tells us that our fleshly side will not ever want to be spiritual, nor want to pursue spiritual things. The Spirit and the flesh are contrary one to the other. (Galatians 5:16-18)
So, what’s a person to do? How can we overcome those fleshly desires? Read on, friend!
Paul goes on to tell us that through the POWER of Christ’s blood we, as believers, have crucified the flesh along with the affections and lusts, we do not have to fight this battle on our own because we have the most powerful force in, or out, of the universe on our side helping us!
I think of it this way, if I am out in the garden weeding all the “bad” plants out, I need to consistently and daily be plucking and pulling the bad as well as nurturing and watering the good. Just planting a garden doesn’t guarantee fruit. As a human, I get busy and tired, I may skip a day or even a week at a time of working in my garden. Man, it does not take long for those weeds to take off!
In verse 25 of Galatians 5, Paul says, “If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit.”
One can live physically without much activity, but “walk” is an action word that denotes effort. Paul says to not only live in the Spirit but to walk in the Spirit. Don’t be a stagnant christian!
The author continues his use of gardening references in the next chapter starting in verse 7 through 10.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatsoever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those of the household of faith.”
The law of the harvest is you generally reap more than you sow. For example, you may plant one corn kernel from which you will likely receive hundreds of kernels as a harvest. Likewise, when we feed and nurture the Spirit OR the flesh we will receive manifold blessings or destruction.
My dad quotes this poem often and has since I was a kid.
“Two natures lie within my breast
One is vile, the other blest.
One I love and one I hate
But the one I feed will dominate.”
Author Unknown
Which one are you feeding? What are you sowing in your life? Many of us live life so distracted by our culture and the plethora of distractions presented by such. We have the mentality that we can live life like the world around us and just sprinkle a little Jesus in our lives when it is convenient. Sisters, it shouldn’t be this way! Satan knows how to subtly deceive us by distracting us with both good and bad things.
Take heart though, God is a good gardener. He is patient, kind, and full of tenderness. The psalmist so eloquently says this about our God, “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” Psalm 103:4,8
He is faithful and just to forgive us when we admit we messed up (1 John 1:9). He is ready to help us get back on track and make course corrections. He simply asks for humble obedience. He wants our hearts. Where is your heart? Is it with your favorite TV show? Facebook? Instagram? Your job? Your pride? Where are you spending your time, effort, and money? That will tell you where your heart is.
In closing, I urge you to give the Good Gardener the fertile soil of your heart and watch as he grows the best garden you’ve ever seen.
In all things may God have the glory!
Friend,
If you’re reading this and you don’t know our God. If you haven’t been covered by the blood of Jesus and been given his Holy Spirit as a comforter, please reach out! He is waiting for you and wanting for you to accept his FREE gift of salvation. Don’t wait. It is THE most important decision you will ever make. Make it today.
With love,
Mollie
Meet Mollie
Mollie is a lover of Jesus above all. She loves her husband and family and enjoys gardening, teaching, piano, riding, and farming. She lives in SW Colorado with her husband and five kids.