Photo by Luiz Guimaraes on Unsplash

“And the LORD planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.“ – Genesis 2:8

God planted a garden.

God is the planter who put the seeds in the ground and God is the gardener who continues to tend the crops He has planted.

As a gardener who has come late to the activity, I feel His presence as I walk among my flowers and vegetables. I tenderly clear the ground around an infant growth of young greens and I baby a fresh sprout, carefully checking my tomatoes for any care, extra food, protection, or water they may need.

I know I can only encourage and help create conditions for growth. I cannot make anything grow at all.

I can cultivate soil, dig rows, plant seeds, weed, water, and talk to my plants. After I have done all, they may respond in appreciation or they may not.

In those moments, I think of God tending His world, tending my life, watching over my family.

Sometimes I respond with fruit. Sometimes, I rebel.

I think of Jesus’ precious care for the church and His call to me to assist Him in that work of caring. The whole activity challenges and inspires me to want to garden more and to minister more to people.

God is a gardener and we are gardeners. There is much to be done and much to pray.

Oh Garden of God,
On the soil
Our feet have trod,
We shall toil.

Row by row, God of the garden,
Sow Thy truth in me.
And, lest my heart harden,
Open my eyes to see.