Yesterday, I went outside to water my garden. The constant heat of the past few weeks was interspersed with regular thunderstorms, so I hadn’t actually checked the state of things for a while. What I saw was not encouraging.

My garden was a mess.

Weeds grew along the path, stretching high up to the sky. They grew in my vegetable beds, choking out my tomato vines. Every single crevice with a speck of dirt birthed new types of weeds—taking over every inch of soil they could find.

My garden needed much more than just water and sun. It needed a gardener. I put on my gloves and started to pull. Weed after weed, I dealt with the fruit of my neglect. It was hard work, sweaty and uncomfortable.

As I diligently worked my way around the garden, it felt like a modern-day parable speaking truth to my soul. Just like weeds, various types of sin seem to spring up in every crevice of my heart. They grow where they’re not planted and flourish without care. Without proper tending, they can crowd out what is good and fruitful. Sin is an enemy, corrosive and destructive—it needs a gardener to faithfully fight against its advance.

Jesus taught his disciples, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit [the Father] takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2).  I usually hear this verse and wince a little, thinking, Oh, I don’t really want to be pruned, that sounds painful. But after spending an afternoon pulling weeds, I felt differently. My soul needs a faithful Gardener to tend it, care for it, and prune what is unfruitful. It’s his kindness, his desire for my good, that leads me to repentance. How thankful I am that I’m not left on my own—the Father is always at work, shaping and crafting me to be more like Jesus.

We hope your summer allows you moments to get outside, enjoy God’s creation, and meditate on his goodness. We’d love to hear the lessons you’re learning and the truths you’re savoring!

Enjoy,