Fertile Ground and a Fertile Heart
Gardening has become more than a hobby for me. The moment I started, it enriched my life in many ways. It taught me many life lessons like patience, that growth takes time, how to quiet my mind, and most important of all, how to guard my heart. All the things we hear in the Self-Care blogs, articles, and podcasts I learned by being intimately connected to nature. However, the most important lesson I learned is that gardens give us the blueprint for Spiritual Transformation, and I believe GOD introduced us to gardens from the very beginning to give us that blueprint.
Preparing The Soil
A gardener must prepare the soil before planting by clearing it of debris, of anything that will block the growth of a seed, by examining it, racking it, turning it over and over until it’s as cleared as possible, then placing nutrients into it to help it to be nourished. Hosea 10:12, the call “to break up the unplowed ground,” speaks about us preparing our hearts. Our hearts must be examined and cleared of anything like hate, envy, jealousy, self-loathing, selfness, all things that can block growth. Just like the soil in your garden must be carefully tended to, the same with your heart. Remember Proverbs 4:23, "ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART”. Protection is key, or nothing will grow.
Giving It Water
Growth is also dependent on water. Seeds need water to break through the soil. Water nurtures the seed. Once you have tended to your heart, start to nurture it with water. The water being the word and the spirit of God, reading scripture, prayer, and mediation and fellowship with other believers. "But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
Planting The Seed
Gardeners know if they tend to the soil, give the soil water, and plant a seed. God will do the rest. A healthy garden yields a harvest, a healthy heart that plants seeds of Love, Joy, Kindness, Patience, Peace, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self-control, which will yield an abundant harvest. Plant Galatians 5:22-23 in your heart.
Fertile ground references in scripture highlight the importance of cultivating our hearts to be receptive to God’s word and his transformative work. By modeling the work in the garden, we enable spiritual growth to bear a harvest that will glorify God. Let’s pray and strive to be fertile ground.
