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In The Garden...Tools

Spring beckons us outdoors and invites us to stroll around our gardens.  We see the new growth and we take stock of what needs to be done to keep all our plants as healthy as possible.  For the next few weeks, I want to compare the work of tending our garden to tending the garden of our hearts.  

Gardening requires tools, and those tools must be taken care of properly.  They must be cleaned and many must be sharpened.  Items needed will vary by tool, but we all need rags, alcohol, and oil.  Some of you sharpen your own tools which adds sharpening devices and knowledge of angles to the list of things you need.  Other tools need things like electrical cords and batteries.  

Not everyone would agree, but I consider gloves and sunglasses as must-have garden tools.  Gloves protect my hands and ensure a firm grip.  Sunglasses keep me from squinting against the glare, and help me see what I'm doing.  I don't want to lop off the wrong branch or uproot plants instead of weeds.

Gardening the heart requires only one tool, God's Word.  It doesn't need cleaning or oiling.  It doesn't need extension cords or batteries.  It's already sharp; sharp enough to cut through the toughest hearts and make them tender again.  It exposes what we could not previously see and brings understanding to our thought life.

 Gardening the heart requires right handling of truth.  I love how Anne Lamott put it in her book, Bird by Bird, "You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth.  You can point with it too."   

Wow!  Point to truth!  Expose the lie; don't strike down those wounded by the lie.  The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, exposes the lie and neutralizes its power to manipulate.  Pointing to truth reveals other options for making our choices.  Now that's a powerful tool, and we need to handle it with accuracy.

The Word of God helps me see clearly, so I must read it and learn it.  Only then will I recognize and seek the LORD’s removal of what hinders growth and fruit.  The filter of God's Word helps me see others through His eyes, making it possible for me to act from a heart of compassion when pointing out His truth.  God’s Truth provides help and healing; it never prevents healthy growth or brings destruction. 

Yes, I know pruning is part of gardening, but pruning is not our responsibility.  Whew!  That’s a blessing, right?!  Pruning is only done by the Master Gardener when we’re talking about the garden of the heart.  So…

Happy gardening everyone; may all your tools be sharp!

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)

the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:17b (NASB)

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/cleaning-gardening-tools.htm

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