‘You may not be everything
you thought you’d be by now
But you can be the one who loves,
serves & gives her all,
& waters & nurtures
every plant in the garden
that God has already given her’
(Morgan Harper Nichols)
I love those words- partly because I can easily identify with the sentiment that I’ve fallen short of my own ideals (never mind anyone else’s) But I also love the sense of place and space. There’s a boundary-a limit to what we have influence over. Although there’s a whole wide world, God has gifted each of us a garden to tend to.
That’s especially important to reflect on in days like today- on days with frightening headlines- assassinations, wars & earthquakes.
While it feels like this planet we call home is careering out of control,
while the gravity of situations weigh heavy on our hearts,
& while we can pray for our whole wide world (which is all under God’s care)
God gives each us our garden to look after.
Our patch of Earth- that only we can tend to.
Our home- more than just the bricks & beams, but our family & friends that bring it to life- the children that grow before our eyes.
Our neighbourhood where we do life & meet others day by day.
Our church where we can thrive together
In our garden, the soil can be a dark seemingly lifeless place. But new life starts in dark places- even in this world where truth is despised & chaos seems to reign.
We are placed by God, for His purposes:
‘Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.‘
(1 Corinthians 7:17 MSG)
So let us hold on to the truth. And focus our eyes on our Creator God who gives us His fresh perspective on things. He causes the sun to shine & the gentle rain to fall to encourage us to flourish.
So we can say:
‘I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.’
We can trust God & His Word:
‘So In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.’
(James 1:21 MSG)
As we look after our garden that has been gifted to us from our Gardner God, we can only do it with His help. When we draw near to God,His Spirit works in our hearts & helps us cultivate fruit in our lives.
‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.’
(Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)
God will water our gardens & produce fruit that we cannot grow on our own. So let us remain close to our Creative Gardener God.
Sometimes we are overwhelmed & don’t know what to do in our garden:
‘Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing. Whatever that is just do the next thing. God will meet you there.”
(Elizabeth Elliot)
*What is our next thing to tend to in the garden we have been gifted?
‘Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.’
(Matthew 6:34 MSG)
Blessings,
Ruth x
Blessed! 