Galatians 5:22-23, New International Version

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

I have recently planted a garden at my house. I have never in my life had a garden, so it is a whole new experience for me. When I was out walking around the garden and looking at the plants, I noticed some new things happening! Looking from a normal distance, you wouldn’t be able to tell, but bending down and looking really close at the plant, you can see some new things happening! I have a new shoot of rhubarb coming up, and some flowers starting to bloom on my pepper and cucumber plants. It is all so exciting as a new gardener to see your hard work paying off!

Perhaps this is how God, our Father, feels when we allow Him to do a work in us.  Oftentimes, it can seem as though things aren’t happening. You don’t notice any obvious changes right away. But, as you continue to walk with God, as you continue to surrender a little more to God, and then a little more and then perhaps a little more, some new things begin to happen. There is new fruit being produced in your life!

This is the kind of fruit that I would like produced in my life: the fruit of the Spirit—Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:23, NIV) To have these fruits produced in my own life, there will be some things that need pruning. As a gardener, I am learning that there are those who feel that they are wasting the plant when they pinch something off, take the excess away, or thin things out. In reality, it helps the production of the plant to make a healthier, fuller plant. The same needs to happen with us. There are things in us, our flesh, desires of the world, that need pruned. It may not be a pleasant or easy process, but it is necessary for us to truly grow and flourish as children of God.

We all have different areas in our lives that perhaps need a little or a lot of work. I want to be able to forgive quicker. I want to be able to love better. I want to be able to let my light shine! Jesus tells us in His word, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIV) How can I do my good deeds and my Father receive glory if I am not allowing Him to prune those things from me that keep my light from shining?

I truly look forward to seeing this garden flourish. As I continue to watch it grow and produce a harvest, I am going to keep in mind to do my best to surrender to God, allowing Him to do a work in my heart so that I can do the good things He planned for me long ago, so that He may receive the glory and honor that He is due. So that others, by looking at my life will know the hope to which they are being called. I pray that our lives will be a testimony to the glory of God and the work He has done to transform us, producing a harvest of righteousness, holiness, and love.