It's In The Garden

Today's Passage:Genesis 2:8-10

Memory Verse:John 19:41-42

Saturday March 27, 2010

Blessings, Friends and Lifers! I pray you're on the verge of a restful weekend that culminates with high praise to God on Sunday. Anyway, do any of you have a garden? Do you have a "green thumb"? My answer to those questions are no and no. But lately I've been on a spiritual quest to break down the significance of a garden.

First, the origin of any garden is "purpose". If one wanted a garden, what would be the reason? Would you use it to beautify your lawn, or feed your family, or to bring income to your household? If you try to plant a garden without a purpose you won't have the commitment and dedication it takes to see it through to harvest time. Secondly, a garden has to be in a good "position". Planting a garden in a place where there's not enough sun or shade can be detrimental to its health. Then you have to have good "ground/soil". Without this, you don't have anything. You'll be putting seed into a ground that won't yield anything. The soil you use has to be soft and ready to recieve seed for growing.

God used a garden in two significant areas of the bible. In the beginning, he put Adam & Eve in a garden. Genesis 2 said God's garden was in Eden. In that garden, He made every tree to grow that was pleasant to the sight and good for food. He also put a river in the middle that parted into four riverheads. The whole purpose for this garden was to provide nourishment for Adam and a place of visitation for Him. But Adam & Eve disobeyed God in that garden. Sin was introduced, and they both had to endure being separated from God. Now flash forward to John 19:41. It says, "Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no-one had been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby".

I love the way God finds a way to put things back the way He intended. His intent was to have God and man together in the beauty of a garden. After the devil used Adam and Eve to mess up the plan, God restored His plan with Jesus (the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.
Our challenge today is to recognize that, because of what Jesus did, we are now God's individual gardens, planted with the purpose of being used produce after our own kind for His kingdom. When you feel the pruning hand of the Master Gardener, which may sometimes be a painful process, embrace it and count it all joy. Know that the beautiful fruit that is produced through you will bless and provide nourishment for others for generations to come.


Prayer: Father, I yield myself to Your workmanship today. You make ALL things beautiful in their time, so I have no doubt that You have found a way to take the messy, twisted vines my life used to be and turn them into the breathtaking, organized and useful fruit that people will see and enjoy. I love You and live to ever bring You glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.