The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:15, NIV
Further Reading: Genesis 2:8-25
I love spending time in my garden. Every day, I take a walk through the rows of plants, inspecting, watering, pulling a few weeds, and harvesting handfuls of vegetables. I crouch between rows of tomato plants, investigating clumps of green fruit, envisioning future jars of salsa.
I believe it’s no coincidence that when dirt fills my fingernails and vegetables fill my arms, that thoughts of God fill my mind.
Humankind’s relationship with God began in a garden. When I kneel in the dirt, I feel as though I’m recapturing a small piece of Eden — when man and woman felt no shame, and had an open, authentic relationship with God. I long to reclaim those days — before fractured relationships, before mankind hid from God.
I’m learning that just as a physical garden requires daily work and care, so does my spiritual garden.
A time of daily inspection helps a healthy spiritual life grow. What areas of my life need more watering from the Word of God? What weeds of sin do I need to remove and repent of? What kind of fruit is my life growing?
With a little daily care, good things begin to grow. Time spent in quiet reflection and digging into the Word, shouldn’t be viewed as a chore. Instead it can be even more enjoyable than time spent digging in the ground. The fruit lasts longer too!
Lord, I commit to cultivating a relationship with You every day. Please reveal the things I need to remove to make room for a healthy spiritual life. Amen.
So true.
Great post!