Tend to Your Garden

Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (NIV)

Roses are known to be some of the most beautiful flowers that are in God’s creation. They come in a 100 different species, but there are 7 types that we are most familiar with. When planting roses, there are certain basic instructions that need to be followed in order to ensure the success of their development. I will give you a few of the site selection basics that I took from the All-America Rose Selections’ website.

1.)    Choose a sunny area that gets 4 to 5 hours of sunlight.

2.)  Do not crowd the area with other trees and plants.

3.) Some roses, such as climbers and shrubs, don’t mind company, but most mix well with other roses or non-invasive plants.

4.)  If replacing an older rosebush, replace it with fresh soil equal to what was taken.

5.) A newly planted rosebush does not like to grow in the same soil that an older rosebush was planted in.

Okay, so let’s break this down when it comes to the Christian life that God would have us to live.

1.)   (Choose a sunny area…) We are the roses that are in this garden. Therefore, we need to make sure that we get plenty of the “Son” in us every day. Now how do we go about doing that? We must study God’s word and have an active prayer life. There is no way for us to grow spiritually if we are not getting the proper Light for the world that we are living in. We will die and I mean die fast. We need our spiritual sun by way of God’s word and in-depth personal time with Him in order to stay on top of the attacks, and temptations that the enemy would have to come our way.  There is no quick- fix and microwave action to be success in Godly living. Just as the rose requires a certain amount of sunlight per day, we also need to spend quality time with God that is not rushed by our daily lives.

2.)   (Do not crowd the area…) Life can present many situations that can make us be too busy for God is we allow. We have work, families, friends, school, tv, entertainment, church and much more which can easily crowd God out. Yes, I added church to the list because often times, we can be so busy doing in the church that we do not make time to have one on one time with God. Going to church service twice a week does not make up for the quality time you need with God, just like clocking in at work doesn’t mean you are doing your job. Time with God needs to be intentional. It needs to be set apart and set aside. Don’t let positions in the church make you think that this replaces the time you are supposed to spend with Him. Yes, we are supposed to work in the kingdom of God, but don’t get loss in the process. You can only be as strong in ministry as you are in your personal relationship with God. You can’t truly have one without the other. 

 

  3.) (Some roses…don’t mind company…) It is okay to have friends from all walks of life. We as Christians are to be a witness to the world. However, you have to be mindful of the company that you keep. If you are a married person for instance, and you hang around other married people who are cheating on their spouses, this is not the type of company you should keep. Amos 3:3 How can two walk together unless they agree? If you are hanging around people that are capable of pulling you away from God, you must make a decision. We cannot exclude ourselves from the world, but we can definitely limit its influences. We are to be a Light unto the world. However, if we are blending in with the crowd, what distinguishes us from them? There is no way to do so. Be around people of like minds and who have a heart to serve God. You may not be the same religion, but at least make sure that you serve the One and only True God. Buddha, Mohammad, the devil and no one else died for our sins. No one, but Jesus deserves our praise, honor and glory.

 4.)  (Fresh soil is needed…) You can’t be a new person in God doing the same old things. If you used to hang around people who gambled their earnings away for example, choose a new set of friends who believe in saving for retirement. If you have people around you who are weekly clubbers, surround yourself with people who like to have fun, but not the kind that will get you into temptation. You can’t be a changed person in Christ totally if you are still hanging on to the old soil that you used to be a part of. It will not allow you to grow. You will not be the nutrients you need. You will die from malnutrition. You will be getting of an old person when you are in your prime. You will be hindered and therefore, will wither away from God because you are not allowing Him to be your new source. Hanging on to the old will keep you from experiencing the New.

 5.)  (A new rosebush does not like old soil…) You will find that as you grow closer to God in your relationship with Him, you will lose the desire for the things that you used to do. You will not want to displease Him and you will do everything in your power to please Him. You will gladly turn away from some of the things that caused the separation between you and God. Many people find themselves even being okay when people walk out of their lives because they are more at peace with themselves and understand the God that now resides in them. When we accept Christ into our hearts, we become new creatures.

2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things become new.

Tend to your garden today. Allow Christ to enter your heart and make everything new. He will change out the old and bring in the new. Let Him turn you into the rose that will be appealing for all to see and model after. This is not a new year’s resolution; this is a life of permanent change. Let God be the gardener of your life today!