Our two little neighbor boys, ages 6 and 3, saw me drag bags of mulch to the flower bed beside our deck. They asked if they could help. The next thing I knew, their kid sized wheelbarrow and digging tools joined us. Both boys knew exactly what they needed to do and verbalized each step along the way. Using their “weed digger”, they pulled all the weeds along with pesky roots. Then they used the three pronged “scratcher” to loosen the dirt so “the worms had more pathways to travel.” Using their “hair scissors” they trimmed the grass to make an edge. Once the mulch was dumped from the bag, they knew to spread it evenly and try not to get it in the grass or on top of the flowers.
HOW DOES GOD GARDEN?
As I listened to them chatter, I thought of the parable of the sower and the seed. While these boys practiced tending to the garden, I wondered, do we listen to our loving Father as he teaches us about gardening?
Jesus explains God’s sowing lesson: “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:18-23)
BREAKING UP THE HARD SOIL
Our spiritual growth requires intentional preparation just like a physical garden. It can sometimes be painful. Hosea 10:12 reads, …break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. God calls us to break up the hardened places in our hearts. These may be areas we’ve ignored or neglected: grief, unforgiveness, sins we have kept secret, or even spiritual laziness. The Holy Spirit’s three-pronged “scratcher” may be necessary.
SEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Our hearts’ soil wants to grow the seed of righteousness. Bill Graham said, “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” Our spiritual character is more important than wealth and health. God wants to reap in beautiful harvest. So how do we allow our spiritual fruit to bloom?
PROPER CULTIVATION
Billy Graham suggests that we live a Christ-like life. Spend time in prayer, Bible study, and acts of service. Work to know Him better and serve others. Seek God’s guidance instead of relying on our own advice. Embrace adversity knowing that it can help prune areas in our lives allowing further growth and fruitfulness. Finally, be a light to others by choosing words and acts that reflect God’s nature. Striving to cultivate these actions helps to sow the seeds of righteousness.
GET YOUR “DIGGER” READY!
While we may never see the extent of God’s crop in our earthly life, we can be certain that it has eternal consequences. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life (Galatians 6:8). So, get your “digger,” “scratcher” and wheelbarrow and begin preparing the soil in your heart for spiritual growth with an eternal harvest.