Trust The Gardener

In the tapestry of life, we often find ourselves wrestling with the concept of generosity. Not just in terms of material possessions, but in the way we share our very essence with the world around us. Today, let's explore how the art of gardening can teach us profound spiritual truths about bearing fruit, trusting in God's plan, and cultivating a truly generous spirit.

Imagine, for a moment, a garden. Not just any garden, but the first garden – Eden. Picture God, the Master Gardener, carefully planting each tree, each flower, with intentionality and purpose. Genesis 2:8 tells us, "And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed." This isn't just a casual mention; it's a glimpse into God's heart for creation and His desire for us to flourish where He plants us.

Just as each plant in a garden has its unique purpose and growing habits, we too are designed with specific gifts and talents. Some of us might be like ground cover, spreading low and wide, while others reach towards the sky like towering trees. The beauty lies in our diversity, each playing a crucial role in God's grand design.

But here's where many of us stumble: we get caught in the trap of comparison. We look at the vibrant flowers next to us and wonder why we can't bloom the same way. We forget that a blackberry bush will never produce blueberries, no matter how much it might wish to. God has created us with unique "DNA" – spiritually speaking – and our job is not to mimic others, but to bear the fruit we were designed to produce.

Speaking of fruit, let's turn our attention to Galatians 5:22-23, which outlines the fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Notice it's singular – fruit, not fruits. We're all called to cultivate these qualities, but how they manifest in our lives will be as unique as we are.

Now, here's where the rubber meets the road: this fruit isn't meant to be hoarded or kept to ourselves. Just as an apple tree doesn't produce apples for its own consumption, we aren't meant to keep our spiritual fruit to ourselves. We're called to be generous with our love, our joy, our peace – even when it feels costly or unappreciated.

This is where trust comes in. We must trust the Gardener – God Himself – who knows exactly what we need to flourish. Sometimes, this means being transplanted to a new environment. Other times, it means enduring the painful but necessary process of pruning.

Pruning can be uncomfortable. It might feel like we're losing something valuable. But just as a gardener prunes a plant to encourage more growth and fruit production, God sometimes removes things from our lives to help us become more fruitful. He might prune away inward-growing branches that block out His light, or cut back overgrowth that's taking up all our energy without producing fruit.

Luke 6:38 reminds us of the paradoxical nature of God's economy: "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." The more we give of ourselves, the more capacity we have to receive and give again.

Consider the zinnia, a resilient flower that thrives even in harsh conditions. The more you cut its blooms, the more it produces. It's a "cut and come again" variety, always ready to offer more beauty to the world. What if we approached our spiritual lives with the same resilience and generosity?

However, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of seeking affirmation or praise for our generosity. The moment we do, it becomes about us rather than about God's glory. Our purpose is to bear fruit for His pleasure and for the nourishment of others, whether they appreciate it or not.

This can be challenging, especially when it feels like our efforts are being wasted or taken for granted. We might pour our heart into nurturing relationships, only to have them seemingly fall apart. We might offer our time and talents, only to have them overlooked or criticized. In these moments, we must remember that nothing is wasted in God's economy. Even fruit that falls to the ground nourishes the soil for future growth.

As we navigate the seasons of life – whether we're in a time of abundant harvest or what feels like a barren winter – we must hold fast to the truth that God is always working. He sees the big picture when we can only see our immediate circumstances.

For those in the throes of motherhood, feeling like your efforts are going unnoticed or unappreciated, take heart. The fruit you're bearing, though it may not be immediately evident, is shaping the future in ways you can't yet see. For those wrestling with trust because of past hurts or disappointments, remember that sometimes pruning reveals things that were hidden – things that needed to be addressed for true growth to occur.

In closing, let's commit to cultivating a generous spirit. Let's trust the Master Gardener's plan for our lives, even when it doesn't make sense to us. Let's reject the temptation to compare our fruit to others' or to be selective about who benefits from our generosity. Instead, let's freely offer the unique gifts God has given us, trusting that He will use them for His glory and for the good of others.

May we be like that resilient zinnia, always ready to bloom again, always prepared to offer beauty and nourishment to a world in need. As we do, we'll find that the more we give, the more we grow – and the more we reflect the generous heart of our Creator.

Related Reading:
John 15:5
John 15:7-8
Genesis 2:8
Ecclesiastes 3:2
Genesis 2:9
Galatians 5:22-23
Luke 6:38
Romans 12:4-6