Metaphorically, let’s say you are a new farmer or better yet, someone who has simply just started a garden. Of course, you have to have seeds to plant. You have to plant your seeds in fertile ground. Meaning, ground that has nutrients to feed the seeds. You have to plant your seeds where it will get adequate sunlight and you have to plant your seeds where they won’t get trampled or plant them out of danger where they  could  potentially be damaged. Lastly, you have to make sure your seeds get enough water.  After planting your seed in good ground, you must care for it, protect it, continue to nurture it, give it water and/or see it to it that it gets everything it needs to flourish, to grow, and be successful. As your plant grows, if you find that your crop is not growing or bearing fruit, then you must examine what you may or may not be doing correctly in your process. Is your seed getting enough sunlight? Is it getting enough water? Does your soil have enough nutrients to sustain the seed? Did you plant it in a safe place where animals couldn’t come and dig it up or people trample over it? 

     One thing we need to consider when planting is, we may not know everything about planting. Remember, I said, we are a new farmer or a new gardener. Maybe, you need help. Maybe, you need to consult someone who has more experience at this than you, someone who knows all there is to know about growing plants, producing fruit, or bringing forth a harvest. There is someone who is better than you at planting and can produce something in you that you could never produce by yourself. You see, we tend to try and do everything by ourselves. We don’t ask for help. Even, when we know we need it. We will continue to try and plant the same thing the same way but expect a different result. We will continue to try and do the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome. What if we began to surrender our planting process, our planting style, and let the head Gardener plant something in us? John 15:1-5,11 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing… I’ve told you this, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”(“Holy Bible,” 2001)

     Remember, I said metaphorically. You see we are the plant and according to Galatians 5:22, we are to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness,”(Smith, 2020). If we consume the Word of God, then His Word would or should produce attributes such as  joy, love, kindness, faithfulness, etc. God gives us access to His fruit. He lets us taste it so it can be planted in us. Galatians 5:22 says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”(Smith, 2020). Have your parents ever teased you and made the joke that if you ate the seeds, the fruit was now growing inside of you? Maybe it was just me but it made sense to me at the time. We know that most fruits have a seed in it so that same seed can be planted and produce the same fruit. If we consume the fruit of His spirit, these same attributes like joy, love, kindness, faithfulness, will take root in us. Next to this is a picture of one of the fruits from the fruit of His spirit. I have colors circling around and seeds inside it to get a better visual. Next to the fruit you see a woman consume the fruit. After that you see that same seed inside the person. Experiencing God’s love, hearing His truth, and reading His word are all ways to be replenished by His nutrients. But we have to have the right soil or should I say, heart to receive the Word. Our hearts are the soil (the ground) and we, just like a regular seed need the right conditions for the Word (seed) to take root in us. As a plant needs sunlight to grow, we too need light to grow and that light is God. In John 8:12, Jesus applies the title to himself while debating with the Jews and states: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light is used to symbolize God, His word, faith, and His holiness throughout the Bible. John 9:5 says that “while I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Micah 7:8 states “… though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Light is also used in the bible to show how He can use us as a light for others. Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Above is an image I drew of a still life of fruit to represent the fruit of His spirit. 

     Next, water. No plant or person can live without water. There is a specific story that I love about the Samaritan woman. She is a woman who was well known in her town and ashamed. We knew she was ashamed because she went to the water well at the peak of the day when it was most hot to avoid being seen. While at the well, she ran into Jesus, but did not know who He was. He asked the woman for a drink and she responded, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from a woman of Samaria?” Jesus said to her “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you ‘Give me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (“Holy Bible,” 2001) Here is an image I drew showing the process of growth with a correct seed, fertile ground, His light, and being watered by living water. 

     Lastly, being in an area that is protected. Making sure your plant is not in a place where animals can come and dig it up or people will trample all over it. Part of  being rooted, is that we must be firmly planted. If something or someone is able to come and uproot us that means we weren’t firmly rooted in the ground to begin with or rooted in the right ground. You can be rooted in something you think is sturdy but easily dislodged when harsh conditions challenge your stability. If you are not deeply planted in God, or rather His word is deeply planted in you, then any complication or disturbance can cause you to uproot. How will you be able to withstand the heavy winds, treacherous storms, or damaging experiences that life may throw at you if you aren’t firmly planted in God by having His WORD in you? We must have roots that go deep and that secures us. So, when things like the uncertainties of 2020, challenges, things beyond our control, disappointments, tragedy, and the like come our way, we can be steadfast, unmovable and forever abounding. 

     The truth of the matter is, WE NEED THE MASTER GARDENER TO HELP US GROW. If we position ourselves to be constantly nurtured, watered, and protected by the Gardener. Then, no matter what comes our way, we won’t be uprooted. What grounds have you been planted in? What seeds have you been producing from? What/who have you been letting water you? Will you make any changes for a different outcome for 2021?