Gardening Tips

Ipicked up a gardening book the other day and got some good advice: “Take care of the soil, and don’t worry about the plants. If the soil is good, the seed will take root and grow.”

In the parable of the sower in Mark 4, Jesus spoke of the importance of “good ground” (or good soil). He defined good soil as referring to those who “hear” God’s Word, “accept it” and “produce a crop” (v.20). If we are receptive, God’s Word will take root, grow and produce fruit (a life that pleases Him).

In gardening, life is in the seed. Under the right conditions, it will grow until it reaches maturity and produces fruit. Similarly, if the seed of the Word is planted in the good soil of a receptive person, it will grow until the character of Jesus is seen.

For Christians, the power of the spiritual life comes from the Holy Spirit. As we open ourselves to the Word with an eagerness to obey it, the Spirit causes us to grow and start looking more like Jesus (Galatians 5:22-23).

We can’t make ourselves grow, any more than we can force growth from the seeds in a garden. But we can keep ourselves receptive and obedient to God’s Word. Then we will produce the fruit of righteousness (being right with God).

What kind of soil are you? —David Roper

Lord, I would be soil in which You can plant Your Word with its promise of fruit; I want to be open to You every day, So what You have planted takes root. —Hess

A person open to God is soil in which the seed of His Word can grow.