How’s Your Spiritual Garden?

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

To reap means to receive (a reward or benefit) as a consequence of one’s own or other person’s actions.  It can also mean to cut or gather. To sow means to plant or to do.
Gardeners know a lot about reaping and sowing. Farmers know what it takes to produce a fruitful garden. They know when and where to plant certain seeds, how deep or far apart to plant the seeds and what to expect from those seeds. Farmers and gardeners understand fully that bad seeds produce bad crops. They also know that planting alone doesn’t produce good crops. The gardener must, at least, water the crop. Consequently, good seeds not properly nurtured can produce a bad crop or small crop. To recap: sowing is simply the act of planting and reaping is the act of receiving.

 How is your spiritual garden? What type of seeds are you sowing? What is your expected harvest? Similar to a vegetable garden our spiritual garden must start with good seeds and be cared for properly to reap a good crop. However, just like in a vegetable garden, things can happen to slow or harm the crop. Therefore, it is important to also tend to or nurture your garden. Your spiritual garden is the same. It must start with good seeds. Those seeds must be nurtured. There’s even work to do prior to planting; we must tend to the soil; which is our mind and our heart. We must also “work the land”. To work the land of your spiritual garden you must study God’s Word, talk to God often, and be mindful of what is put into the soil (your mind).
The Lord provides us with the necessary tools to properly care for our spiritual garden. His Word, His servants, and the Holy Spirit are tools that are given to us. When those tools are used, they guarantee that our spiritual garden will produce an acceptable crop.

The Bible tells us
•that out of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). You reap what you sow.
•that we need to study to show thyself approved (2 Timothy 2:15). You reap what you sow.
•to set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2) You reap what you sow.
•To pray daily and often (Philippians 4:6) You reap with you sow

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the lessons on reaping and sowing. Forgive us for failing to cultivate our spiritual gardens and thus grieving You. Thank you, Lord, for second and third chances. Your grace and mercy abound. Lord, create in us a clean heart that our lives may be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

(by Patricia Towns)