Meet Me In the Garden
My mom always had a big garden when I was growing up. I didn’t really care about it and certainly didn’t enjoy helping because that usually meant pulling weeds. But then I became a wife and mom and suddenly gardening seemed like a good idea. (I should have paid more attention because I sure didn’t know what I was doing at the beginning.) Now I absolutely love it and find myself relishing the solitude of my garden. I take my time primping plants, deadheading, pulling weeds, finding newly emerged vegetables and cutting a variety of plants and flowers to design arrangements for the house or to give to friends. For me, gardening has become a time of reflection, prayer and praise. Recently I was giving thought to Jesus’ parable about the sower. It’s a well-known story that Jesus shared with the multitudes that had gathered to hear his teachings. It can be found in Matthew 13 and goes something like this:
A farmer went out to plant some seeds and spread them all over. Some just fell aside where birds could come and eat them right away. Some seeds fell on rocks where there was little soil. They started to grow but soon died because they had no root. Other seeds fell where there were weeds and thorns. They started to grow but the weeds and thorns choked them out. And then, fortunately, some of the seeds did fall on good soil where they grew and yielded a wonderful crop.
Further on in the chapter Jesus explains the parable. The seeds are the Gospel–the good news of Jesus Christ. Some people hear about Jesus but they take no heed to the message. That’s the seed by the wayside that the birds eat. Some people hear about Jesus and accept it but they don’t make any attempt to grow deeper in their faith, so when troubles come that challenge their faith they lose it. That’s the seed on rocky soil. And then there are those who hear the message of the Gospel and accept Jesus, but things of this world distract them and they completely disregard their faith, becoming unfruitful. Lastly, there are those who do accept Christ into their lives and they seek to grow in their faith and live their lives on mission. They are the seeds that land on fertile soil and yield much fruit.
I used to think that the first three soils were all unbelievers and the last soil was the person who becomes a Christian. But I now understand that is not the case. I think it is only the first illustration in which the seeds are immediately eaten by birds that represent the non-believer. The others represent those of us who consider ourselves believers–Christians. And I pondered as I snipped away at low hanging shoots on my tomato plants…
How many of us would rather not have to change anything about our lifestyles or do something uncomfortable because of our beliefs? It’s easier to just live our lives and maybe go to church once in a while if it’s convenient. That’s the rocky soil. No root. There will be no fruit on this plant.
How many of us are really just too busy to consider living as Jesus followers on a daily basis? I mean, who’s got time for Bible reading and prayer every day and talking to people about Jesus or serving at the local church? We’ve got jobs to go to, money to make, hobbies and vacations to pursue, bills to pay, a house and yard to keep up. And the list goes on. That’s the soil that’s full of weeds. Those things are going to choke the new life in Christ right out of you. No fruit there.
And then, of course, we have the good soil. It must be the opposite of all these others. We will bear fruit if we hear and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ, learn and grow in our faith, make changes to become more like Jesus and live our lives with Him as our focus. What is the fruit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Finishing up my gardening that day, I was reminded of the fact that my heart has sometimes been rocky or thorny soil. It’s a daily pursuit to maintain a soft heart that is receptive to the Holy Spirit. Just like my garden, my heart needs regular maintenance–weeding, pruning, watering– because I deeply desire to bear much fruit. Fruit that will last. (John 15:16) Won’t you join me in the garden?
