Gardening

I Corinthians 3:6-8, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

The only way a simple seed becomes a fruit-producing plant is by God.  Man has no authority or power to make it do so.  All the watering and caring cannot make the seed do anything.  It is God and God only!  However, God has opted and charged man to do something in the process, which is to plant and to water.  Still, it is God who brings forth growth and fruit.

As spring has officially begun (this year it was March 20^th), it is time to begin planning the garden if any produce is desired come fall.  A number of issues need to be considered if one wants a producing garden such as the quality of soil, exposure to the sun, and the protection from detriments (the dog or a south brick wall making it extra hot), and access to water.  Also to be planned is what is wanted from the garden come harvest time.

Then get the seeds!

And then comes the labor.  You know the routine:

Prepare the soil.  Break the pan and soften the soil maybe adding gypsum or humus.

Second, plant the seed per the instructions – how deep and how close and know what should not be planted nearby that could be detrimental.

Then come a number of steps that do not fall in any particular order but are based on circumstances.

Weeding – keep the soil around the plant free of weeds as they compete with the plant for water and nutrients.

Watering – that life giving liquid so essential for all life.  However, too much can be a problem so wisdom is needed.

Then there are those pesky critters like grasshoppers, rabbits and worms.  They can eat up the leaf which is so essential to the life of the plant thus their existence must be terminated.

Also, helpful and maybe needed is a fertilizer boost.  Too much can burn so wisdom is required.

Then wait and wait – it can’t be rushed.  The plant has a “biological clock” given it by God.  It happens in God’s time – the germination, breaking through the crust, putting on leaves and flower, and finally the fruit which then needs to grow to maturity for harvest and enjoyment at the gardener’s table.  So the gardener is a player, a critical player, but it is God’s gig!

Such is a good picture of salvation.  It too is God’s gig – I Peter 1:23, Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

Prepare the soil – Galatians 6:10, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all – love and serve

Plant the seed – I Peter 1:23, Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God – Bible

Water – John 4:14, But the water that I shall give him…springing up into everlasting life.” – Jesus

Weed – I Timothy 6:3, teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words – refute

Debug – Matthew 13:19, then the wicked one comes and snatches away – pray!!

AND GOD! There may be a harvest – there are times all is done right and the plant does not bear. God’s call!

In salvation, it is God’s quickening, enlightening, drawing and gifting that brings the soul to saving faith.  Titus 3:5, He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Back to our verse.  The fruit is God’s call yet God promises to reward His laborers who are faithful and patient gardeners.  It is not for us to demand results or numbers, it is for us to obey which is to plant and water.  May we be faithful and may God be pleased to bring forth fruit (Acts 2:48) – people saved!