Lessons From My GardenChikamu

Preparation

The long winter is passing and the sun is actually making a rare appearance, warming to my cold bones. I am eager to get outside into my garden. Getting dirt under my fingernails and communing with God and nature calls deeply to me. If you are a gardener, you understand. If you are not a gardener, stick with me. I hope you will still find principles to apply to your life. 

The first rule of gardening is preparing the soil. Tilling, removing weeds, straightening rows or squares, and fortifying the soil is necessary before I can even think of adding seeds. 

Preparation is the most grueling part of gardening. 

Cultivation loosens the crusted top layer of soil. The sharp tines of the tiller cut deeply, allowing water to penetrate to plant roots. Tilling exposes rocks and sticks, and reveals old dead roots or insect grubs that have overwintered and need to be removed. 

In the same way, a “tilling” of our hearts can soften hard and dark places within, revealing sin or bad habits that need to be exposed and removed. While you can break up soil by hand or use a motorized tiller on a garden, soul cultivation may take even more effort, and will certainly cause more than blisters. 

Just as the tines of the tiller go deep into the garden soil, the sharp, double-edged sword of God’s Word digs deep into our heart revealing pride and self-centeredness. It takes willingness and vulnerability to be quiet before God, allowing His Spirit to speak correction and alignment to us. It takes humility to admit that we are in need of change and adjustment, and to acknowledge that some things need to be surrendered or removed. Soul-tilling also means a willingness to see ourselves as He sees us, to agree with His perspective of us, and to believe in His great love for us. 

Often, life’s hard circumstances becomes the “tool” that breaks the hardness of our hearts. Something unexpected happens—the loss of a job, a major illness, a broken relationship—and we feel devastated. But God never wastes anything. If we allow it, He will use our difficult experiences to enlarge our hearts, develop our character, and grow our faith. He is refining and preparing us for greater things to come.

A tilled and prepared heart is one that has allowed the light of God’s Word to expose and reveal things that are hidden, giving opportunity to bring them before Him in confession and repentance. With an open, tender heart we can fully live in freedom without shame and regret, knowing that He is working through even our most contrary thoughts and habits. He gives us power that exceedingly surpasses our own strength, making us ready and able to bear fruit for His kingdom. 

Are you willing to allow His Word to prepare your heart for His presence? He’s waiting for your permission.