.png)
We’re digging into gardening… No pun intended.
If you are like me, you don’t have to have a green thumb to appreciate the beauty of planting and nurturing something that grows, and the Bible is full of gardening imagery to teach us about our faith.
John 15:5 says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing.” Just like a garden needs care and connection to thrive, our spiritual lives flourish when we stay rooted in Christ.
Today, we’ll explore how gardening principles can inspire us to tend to our spiritual lives, grow in faith, and bear fruit that glorifies God.
The condition of soil determines the growth of seeds—our hearts are the soil for God’s Word. There is a big importance in having a strong foundation for spiritual growth.
Luke 8:15 says, "And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest."
To cultivate an openness with God, we need to remove distractions from our lives. We need to remove things that are holding us back from stepping forward in growing our roots deep into the soil and growing fruitfully for the Lord.
Two major ways to cultivate our spiritual growth are to spend time daily in prayer and Scripture to enrich your spiritual soil.
What do you need to weed out in order to grow spiritually?
Jeremiah 4:3 says, "This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns."
We need to take steps to break up the hard ground that is in our hearts to be able to openly receive God’s Word.
Some attributes that can hinder us from growth are bitterness, unforgiveness, or even complacency. Holding on to these really blocks us off from the nutritional aspects the Lord and His Word provide for healing and growth.
Reflect on areas of your heart that need softening and seek God’s help.
Ask God to help you remove any obstacles that are keeping you from hearing, learning, and growing through Him.
Luke 8:15 describes the good soil of a noble and good heart, which receives God’s Word, holds onto it, and produces a fruitful harvest through perseverance. Jeremiah 4:3 calls us to break up unplowed ground and not sow among thorns, urging us to prepare our hearts for God’s work. Together, these verses emphasize the importance of readying our hearts—removing distractions and cultivating openness—to allow God’s Word to take root and bring spiritual growth.
I want to encourage you to be willing to embrace the work it will take and to be receptive to the changes that will take place in your life in order to grow in a relationship with the Lord.
A prepared heart is fertile ground for God’s Word to take root and grow.
We need to care for what God has planted in our lives.
1 Corinthians 3:7 says, "It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow."
The biggest thing we need to do is trust in God to bring growth in His timing.
We also need to acknowledge our role in planting and nurturing seeds of faith and obedience. If we plant seeds but do not obey and follow through, then we have planted something expecting growth that won’t happen. We have to plant and then follow through with what the Lord has given us.
Be intentional about planting seeds of kindness, love, and the Gospel in daily interactions.
What seeds are you planting in your life and the lives of others?
Galatians 6:9 says, "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up."
I’m gonna tell you, I get tired sometimes, and I have to push forward and ask the Lord to help me. I have to reassess my heart and my intentions—what I want versus what God wants of me. It’s hard to get to that, but once I’m there, I know it’s right.
It takes patience and perseverance to nurture our spiritual growth. And when times are tough, we need to recognize that growth takes time and faithfulness. It takes knowing that God is the one we need to follow.
Something I have done is make a prayer list to regularly lift up areas where I’m seeking growth or even spaces where I want God to move.
How can you remain patient and faithful while waiting for spiritual growth?
1 Corinthians 3:7 reminds us that while we may plant and water, it is God who gives the growth, highlighting His sovereign role in all progress. Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Together, these verses emphasize that while our effort and perseverance are important, it is ultimately God who brings growth and fruitfulness in His perfect timing.
Trust God’s timing and keep nurturing your faith. Plant faithfully, water diligently, and trust God for the increase.
Living a fruitful life that glorifies God.
John 15:8 says, "When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."
The evidence of spiritual growth is in the fruit we bear.
The fruit is found in Galatians 5:22-23—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we are consistently producing these fruits, then we are glorifying God in our daily lives. It takes time, practice, and faithfulness to cultivate and live these out. This will be a daily task that we have to set and make a habit of.
Evaluate your life for evidence of spiritual fruit and ask God to grow areas of weakness.
What kind of fruit is your life producing?
There is a huge connection between our roots and the fruit we produce.
Matthew 7:17 says, "A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit."
If we plant something and we notice the roots starting to grow out the bottom of the container, then there needs to be a change in the container because the capacity given is no longer enough. There needs to be more room for root growth and distribution in order for the plant to properly produce fruit.
The same goes for our spiritual lives. We need to have room to grow and also a willingness to be open to change so we have room for growth. Roots can stay firmly rooted in Christ so that we can bear fruit.
Regularly spending time in God’s Word to deepen your roots in Him is how we can be open to change and growth.
How can you ensure your roots remain firmly planted in Christ?
John 15:8 teaches that we glorify God by bearing much fruit, showing ourselves to be His disciples. Matthew 7:17 reminds us that a good tree produces good fruit, reflecting the nature of its source. Together, these verses emphasize the importance of living a fruitful life, where our actions and character demonstrate our connection to Christ and bring glory to God.
To live out our fruits and our spiritual growth, we need to glorify God through our words, actions, and attitudes.
A fruitful life is rooted in Christ and reflects His glory.
I hope you’ve been inspired to tend to your spiritual garden. From preparing your heart to planting seeds and bearing fruit, God is with you every step of the way.
Let’s stay rooted in Christ and grow together for His glory.