“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”–2 Peter 3:18
I have to admit I am not the best gardener.
While some have amazing green thumbs and can get anything to grow, I recognize that I am a gardener who likes convenience. I like plants that can take care of themselves. Instant color without much work. I like to look at beautiful plants, but want to take minimal time to get them to look that way. Now, don’t get me wrong. I have done my time with perennial borders, watering, weed-pulling, spraying, cutting back, mulching, and a ton of other things. I have tried veggies, strawberries, and other container plants. I do enjoy them, but as I sit today, pulling weeds and digging up grass in my small perennial border, I realize there were jobs I should have done last fall and earlier this spring to spruce things up and keep the weeds at bay. So I sit, debating whether to just yank up all the weeds and grass, or dig up the whole thing and start over. Oh, my back is aching. Time to find something else to do!
I have been reflecting how our spiritual lives are like gardens. If we don’t keep up the work, doing small jobs every day, they will be overcome with weeds and grass. Spiritual growth is just as or more difficult than a garden. I want to grow, but I often find myself filling my time with other things. I want to grow, but often want to take the minimal time to invest in it. I keep spiritual “weeds” in my life, often waiting too long to pull them up. I want to see this amazing spiritual growth in my life, but want it instantly, without hardship or work.
I admire gardens where professional gardeners tend it. Sometimes we need to know when to leave it to a pro. That is why I let God be my spiritual gardener. Who better to know me as a person, what I need to grow, and the best ways to get there? As I pray and read the Bible, I can tell that God is very invested in our spiritual growth. I love this verse above from 2 Peter. We are to grow in grace. Grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. And with that will come other spiritual growth throughout our lives. God provides the way, He is the Master Gardener. We just have to obey and follow what He says to keep our spiritual gardens tended well.
Are you a green thumb? Or a person like me who likes gardens with convenience? Wherever you find yourself, open your spiritual life to God as your Master Gardener. Watch how He will pull up weeds, prune things back, put down the fertilizer, and help you to grow!
Prayer–“Gracious God, I can’t grow in my spiritual life without your help. I need you to show me the way, so I can discover your grace and grow in the knowledge of Jesus. Give me the desire to grow, the desire to pursue all that you have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 