Daily Devo
The Garden of Your Heart
By: Kim Garrett
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21
For over a year, I've been trying to set up a bed for raised gardening in our back yard. I have everything I need, the planters, organic soil, and my seeds. The thing that is stopping me from completing my project is distractions. I keep allowing the distractions of daily life to chip away at my free time, so I still haven't focused on my gardening project.
Jesus loved to use gardening principles in His teachings. He talks about planting seeds, not for vegetables, sowing the seeds of God's Word. He often used pruning as a sermon illustration. If we want to live a life that is pleasing and acceptable to God, we need to allow The Holy Spirit to "prune" away unnecessary things. As we read and study God's Word, His seeds of truth penetrate deep into the soil of our heart. God is the ultimate gardener, and He will help us spiritually grow and develop. His tender care equips, empowers, and enables us, so we can fully incorporate His principles and commands into our lives. When we posture our hearts with humility, it cultivates a healthy soil ready to receive God's Word.
Just as avid gardeners take great care in planning, selecting, and planting their seeds, so it is with the garden of our heart. The health and beauty of the crop it produces is dependent on the skill and craftsmanship of its gardener. The Holy Spirit takes God's inspired Word and uses it to prune our heart. His divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding conforms us to God's perfect plan. Our world has its problems, but it also provides a plethora of tools that help us plant God's Word deep in our hearts. We have technology available like Christian music, podcasts, and literature, and all of them can nourish our soul. God also loves to use the fellowship of other believers to sharpen our understanding and application of His Word. He uses assorted methods to grow us, all designed to conform us into the image of His Son.
Christ follower, ask God to reveal where you need to grow, and don't resist when He prunes away what's unnecessary!
Read: Psalm 37:11, John 14:26