How Does Your Garden Grow?
By Susan Klein
"Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned."
Hebrews 6:7-8
“We had a good crop this year,” proclaimed the farmer as I tried to choose from the vast array of pumpkins and gourds that would eventually find a decorative place on my mantel at home. “Lots of rain and good weather,” he continued. I always return to the same local farmer who delights me every year with his abundant variety of these fruits. By their size and beauty, I can tell he takes much time and great care in planting, nurturing and harvesting his crop. I am never disappointed!
Spiritually speaking, how does your garden grow? Are you having a good crop this year? Are you tending to your spiritual health so that it produces good fruit? Are you drinking in the rain of God’s Word, or just taking an occasional sip that leaves your ground parched and thirsty for more? Are you taking the time to keep your ground tilled and fed by doing things such as going to church, reading and meditating on God’s Word, attending a Bible study, spending time in prayerful communication with your heavenly Father, and obeying the Spirit’s leading? Neglecting your spiritual ground not only keeps it barren of good fruit, but makes it fruitful in that which is bad - - the thorns and thistles that would choke out any tender new shoots of good growth. This is not the type of ground that God can use for His purposes.
While Paul may be addressing those who have completely abandoned the faith in these verses, I believe they can apply to those of us who are just neglecting our spiritual walk as well. We will not be “burned” if we are true believers in Christ, for we cannot lose our salvation. But, we can miss out on the blessing from God that comes with being good farmers who properly care for our spiritual ground.
As Paul exhorts the Hebrew believers, let’s show the same diligence to the very end, in order to make our hope sure, and not become lazy, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (from Hebrews 6:11,12)
GOING DEEPER:
1. What “thorns and thistles” might you need to weed out of your garden?
2. Once weeded, will you commit to replenish the soil with some good fertilizer from God’s Word?
FURTHER READING:
Matthew 13:3-9; Galatians 6:8
Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in inner city outreach.
