I envision our hearts like a garden. We are born into this world with a void of fertile soil in our hearts for God to in-fill. Many times, before we have reached the age of 5 years old, we have received messages of rejection, unworthiness, incompetence, and extreme conditional love. As we grow and mature, our hearts become filled with messages that are lies and
deceit which begin to take root. Then our beautiful garden starts to be overgrown with brush and thorn, thicket and death. The thickness of the rubbish overgrows and creates a shield over our hearts, and we live in a lonely and empty existence. We begin the search for ways to “feel” better through acceptance, shopping, material things, alcohol, drugs, and relationships. Inevitably, it is to no avail, and we drive ourselves into deeper loneliness and emptiness.
We can let God take hold of our hearts to be in partnership with Him. When we do, He’ll begin to work through the thicket of thorns and brush, pruning back the dead limbs and bushes, mixing in the fertile soil, planting new seeds, and nurturing them to their full potential. Then we begin to see the real meaning of love. God told us that He loved us first! His love toward us first causes us to turn our hearts to Him and love Him back. But if our hearts are so covered up with all the lies and hurt, how can we recognize His love? We must begin the process of cleaning up our garden and preparing it to receive God’s love. He offers it in His full and unconditional sacrificial gift of Jesus!
My experience is that when we invite Jesus into our heart, He comes to live with us, no matter where we are in our circumstances, no matter what we have done! He is a living God ready to extend His mercy and grace on all who call on Him. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I called on Jesus in a deep time of pain with a heart shattered to pieces. I have witnessed first-hand God’s abundant love in my life. One of the wonderful things about God is that He allows us to choose to stay where we are or to call on Him and His love as our Savior and for our strength! I pray for you that this moment you will choose to call upon the name of Jesus Christ to come into your heart to live!
Featured Photo by Francesco Gallarotti on Unsplash
5 Comments on Restore Your Joy This Fall With A Little Heart Gardening
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That’s an appropriate metaphor. Jesus’ parable of the seed-sower illustrates this metaphor quite well. We have to tend to the soil of our heart’s garden to prepare it for Love and Truth (the seeds) to be received and take root. Even then, it takes a lot of time, nurturing and patience for the garden to grow.
The payoff is a bountiful harvest, wouldn’t you say? The Gardener would say it is well worth it…
Yes Joe, you are so right. The payoff is more bountiful than one can imagine!! Receiving the love and then the carving out the time to nurture and allow growth results in the pieces of the heart being transformed into wholeness! Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
that is so true and Heart Gardening now I envisaged that and get to work on my garden with the Lord at myside helping me dig, weed and sew. I dont like to garden on my own and what better partner could I have – Awesome x
Having our precious Savior with you while gardening helps us dig, weed and sow in the right way! xo
Allison, This is so beautiful. As a lover of gardening I can totally relate. Gardening is one of my favorite times with the Lord. I take great care planting, nurturing, pruning, watching it grow and finally bloom. When I sit back in quiet I realize that this is what God has done for me (bless Him, lots and lots of pruning!) and I am so thankful!