Working Your Spiritual Garden

“I want flowers but I don’t want to plant them.” This is the thought that crossed my mind as I peered out my window while making breakfast this morning. I’m a lousy gardener. I kill most things I plant. But I’ve come across some pretty hearty flowers that can endure a brown thumb. So I plant those every year in my planters. But this year, I just don’t feel like it. 

Gardens show up many times in the Bible. From the beginning, and all throughout, the garden theme is weaved in God’s story. I like to think of my spiritual life as a garden. And that garden I enjoy tending very much. I’m not perfect at it by any means, but I do love it. But sometimes, despite my favorable disposition towards it, I still get lazy from time to time. There are areas of my spiritual life that could use the beautification of flowers, but I just don’t want to plant them. 

Fasting was a spiritual discipline I just didn’t want to do. Whenever I tried I didn’t even know if I was doing it right. But for a while I felt that was an area God wanted me to tend to. I avoided it. I made excuses. Then finally said, “Ok.” It’s been about a month now that I’ve started to fast during dinner once a week. I’m starting slow and I don’t know what I’m doing, but I do it. I’ve asked God to show me what to do. I’m not sure I know the answer yet so I just do what feels right. As I attempt to pray for the allotted time I’ve set, I sometimes get bored. I almost fall asleep while I’m praying, but I keep showing up. I even look forward to it now. I trust that something is growing out of my devotion. I don’t know what yet. But I’m willing to put in the work to find out. 

...so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10 NASB

I understand the need to be careful to not fall into the trap of working to earn God’s good favor, or to gain salvation. We are saved by God’s grace and His grace alone, and there is nothing we can do to make Him love us more or less. But I’m talking about the good works that God calls us to do (Eph 2:10). The work that demonstrates our faith (James 2:17). The work that co-labors in building God’s Kingdom (1 Cor 3:9). The work that produces mature spiritual fruit (John 15:8). 

Yes. Good works to achieve salvation are futile, but good works to achieve a purpose are fruitful.

Work is simply effort put towards something to achieve a result. Fasting is an area I know I need to nurture in my life, but it’s not going to happen without effort on my part. I don’t need to be perfect. I don’t need to be legalistic. But I do need to be intentional. And I need to be obedient. And I still must be mindful of balancing rest and grace with my effort in all things. I’m learning that when I’m working towards the things God is asking me to do, it is life giving and exhilarating. It doesn’t always start out that way though. Sometimes I need to push through my negative feelings and lazy tendencies. I want a fruitful spiritual life. I want a fruitful yard too. I may ask my husband to help me out with the latter, but friends, I can’t have someone else tend to the garden of my heart. It just doesn’t work that way. 

Is there a spiritual discipline, a calling, or some other area in your life that God is asking you to tend to so it can produce fruit but you are hesitant or just don’t want to? I understand.

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Scriptures for Contemplation:

Ephesians 2:10

James 2:17

1 Corinthians 3:9

John 15:1–11

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