The Gardener

"You have been born again -not of perishable seed but of imperishable- through the living and enduring word of God." 1 Peter 1:23

Dana and I planted a very, small raised garden bed last week. By 'very small' I mean eight plants. We do this from time to time so we know enough about growing plants to keep them alive long enough to reap some of their fruit (vegetables) at harvest time.

As we were working with the soil; ridding it of debris, pulling weeds and roots and small pebbles out and raking it to make it soft and fresh for our new plants, it got my mind to thinking.

We decided to plant a garden. We chose a place in our yard that is flooded with sunlight all throughout the day. We took the steps to prepare an area and then dug the holes for each new life to take up residence. We filled in around each plant with soil and watered them. The sun warmed their tender leaves and the very next morning they were standing at attention (I like to think that they were thanking the Lord for their new home...if plants can worship...and I believe they do).

I have all confidence in knowing that these plants will live and thrive and give us an abundance of food this summer. We will continue to weed and water and care for this special area, looking forward to what will come of it. But I know that at the end of its life it will fade away, rot and ultimately perish, and next season, Lord willing, we will have to start again with a new garden.

In Peter's Epistle, he warned the church to keep on pursuing the goal of their faith until Christ comes again. As chosen people through the mercies of God who are born again into the living hope, the church is promised an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and kept in heaven. God's power is guarding this inheritance even now.

When we receive Christ, He has already been doing a work in us (preparing our soil; soul) for Him entering in and being our Lord and Savior. He continues to do the work in us (all the cultivating and pruning) to keep us growing in the way He has for us; to make us Kingdom ready.

Even something as precious as gold perishes, but our faith, which is more valuable than gold, is imperishable to the glory of God at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Everything in this life will fade, rot, and ultimately perish, but there is one thing that is lasting...the Word of God.

I pray that we will yield to all that Christ has for us in the way of caring for our faith and proclaiming His message through the way we live our lives and seek Him. May we live for our imperishable inheritance through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Thank You for Your enduring love for us. The inheritance You have waiting for us is beyond what our human mind can fathom. Mold me and make me and may I not resist the needed changes that You have for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.