Cultivate Your Garden

Written by Vianne Satterfield

John 15:5, 8 – 9 (AMP)

“I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for (otherwise) apart from Me (that is, cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing. . . . My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My (true) disciples. I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love (and do not doubt My love for you.)”

My husband and I planted yellow squash, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes and strawberries in early Spring, with the hope of enjoying fresh vegetables and fruit throughout the Summer months. I do not have a “green thumb” but decided to experiment with planting a garden in big pots (as the high cost of lumber made it too expensive for a raised garden bed). I am enjoying fresh produce from my own backyard! It is amazing to me that the plants are growing and producing several times a week. We have learned ways of cultivating the garden and helping it to grow and produce good fruit or vegetables. Here are some spiritual parallels that I have learned along the way too, which I would like to share.

The plants need good soil with fertilizer, access to sunlight and consistent watering. My husband installed a drip irrigation system so that each pot gets a measured amount of water consistently. Be sure there are no kinks in your hose that can stop the flow of water. We can have “spiritual kinks” that stop the flow of the Spirit too. Is there something or a situation that has you “bent out of shape?” Take it to the Lord in prayer to resolve it so the flow can be restored.

As the plant produces more vegetables, it needed more water. So it is with our spiritual garden — we need to be planted in a good environment with regular access to the SONLIGHT of connection with Jesus, the Light of the world, and with the Holy Spirit, drinking in the Living water — especially as we are producing fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) “But the fruit of the Spirit (the result of His presence within us) is love (unselfish concern for others), joy, (inner) peace, patience (not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Over time, each plant has grown and needed some kind of support. The cucumber needed a special trellis so that the vine could attach itself to something to help it grow. The other plants needed stakes or a metal cage to help contain and support it.

We all need support from time to time. We need community. We are not made to do the Christian life alone! Hebrews 10:24-25 (AMP) “And let us consider (thoughtfully) how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together (as believers for worship and instruction), as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more (faithfully) as you see the day (of Christ’s return) approaching.” We can find support through a variety of small groups within churches or within our community, or through friendships. We can even find community within larger groups such as social media. There is a group for just about every kind of need or want. Be intentional about finding community and be supportive within a like-minded group.

I have appreciated support from new and “old” friends through my church, my life group, my colleagues, my family members and even Facebook. I recently learned of the terminal illness of my beloved cat, Chazzy Boy, and through Facebook, I could instantly share with many people asking for their prayer support for us. I have been priviledged to have the opportunity to pray with dozens of people through the Prophetic Heart Healing mentorship program these past several weeks. I have interceded, facilitated and received during these special prayer times, that offer so much hope, healing and breakthrough. I found community and new friends within this mentorship program and I am profoundly grateful for being able to participate, learn and grow through this group. These people have become very dear to me as we share common experiences together.

I have to wait patiently for the plants to produce. Each day I will check the garden to see the progress. I am still waiting on the green peppers to turn yellow or orange, as I cannot eat green peppers without digestive issues! Sometimes there are problems or disease that form on the plants that may stop it from producing as it should. The cucumber plant has some kind of “dust” on its leaves that have required a spray remedy. My husband has done a great job of researching to learn about and apply the remedy, so that the plant can be healthy. So too, our spiritual garden may need remedies to help it become healthy when we get sick or infected — whether it be physically, emotionally or spiritually. Sometimes we need the support of a trained professional such as a counselor or a prayer minister to help us receive emotional and spiritual health. Engaging in regular prayer with the Lord helps to alleviate and may even prevent sickness as we present our cares to our loving Lord. Often we need to wait patiently for answers to prayer and know that God’s timing is always best!

At some point, every garden needs to be weeded — to rid it of the dead or dying leaves or roots. Just as weeds suck the life out of a plant, unconfessed sin and unforgiveness can suck the life out of you; your relationships will suffer if you allow spiritual “weeds” to take over your spiritual garden. This is true for both vertical (you and God) and horizontal relationships. Scripture is clear as we are encouraged to ask God to search our hearts to see if there is anything that is offensive to the Lord. (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV) Get in the habit of regularly asking the Lord if there is anything that is offensive to Him — in your thoughts, your actions, your attitudes. Let Him show you and ask for His forgiveness. Allow Him to clean your heart and renew your mind. Let Jesus remove the dead places in your spiritual garden so that life can flow again. Let Jesus uproot bitterness, resentment and anything else that is not of Him. Thankfully, we can be forgiven and cleansed from sin and the things that weigh us down. (I John 1:9 NLT) Indeed confession and repentance is good for the soul!

A couple of times, a few of the plants fell over due to strong winds and not enough weight in the pots to keep them upright. One time, the cucumber plant fell over into the bell pepper plant, which appeared to hurt or damage the pepper plant. It was like a domino effect. Sometimes, we fall down, or get offended by others who fail or fall onto us. Offense does hurt but it is important to let go of the offense as quickly as possible so that it doesn’t grow into a root of bitterness or resentment, which can defile your life and cause all kinds of havoc spiritually and emotionally. Let the Lord set you free from offense. Do not take offense in — do not let it penetrate your heart, as offense can fester and lead to brokenness.

Lastly, enjoy the bounty of the harvest. Psalm 34:8 (AMP) “O taste and see that the Lord (our God) is good; How blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God) is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Enjoy the Presence of the Lord and the spiritual growth that the Spirit cultivates in you — to be made full and complete and overflowing, so that others can see what a “glorious garden” you have and desire it as well. Time spent with the Lord is never wasted time — it builds us up and may encourage someone else when shared.

I have personally experienced each of these parallels, and I am so grateful for how the Lord shows me spiritual things in everyday life and especially for His healing of brokenness that I have received through connecting with Jesus, so that my spiritual garden can flourish.

I would love to hear how your “spiritual garden” is growing! Share in the comments section.