FAITH'S GARDEN

My friend Faith has got a garden. Her Master gave it to her, that He might reap the harvest of the garden one day. This Head Gardener expects Faith to take good care of His garden with faithfulness and patience, because it belongs to Him after all. Today her garden is in the full bloom. The fragrance and brilliance of the flowers is so fantastic. I can tell you, though, that it has caused her lot of work and sweat to bring it to the present splendor. Her plot was leaved fallow. In opposite to the other gardens, Faith's garden is not watered artificially. She has watched some new trends in gardening business with amezement. Watering with the new wine, for example. Well, during the dry seasons, people dry to do anything. Faith has more understanding and expertise. She has understood this:" For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater! , so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth, it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Is.55:10,11) She had lot of work removing all the weed, stones, stumps and other obstacles. The weed had to be uprooted:"Every plant which My heavenly has not planted will be uprooted." (Matt.15:13) This work is continuous:"looking carefully lest anyone shall fall short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." (Hebr.12:15)So, there is lot of work till her Master comes and takes His own away. Then she planted and soon the plants were rooted:"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and build up ion Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding with thanksgiving."(Col.2:6,7) "Let the work of God dwell in you richly."(Eph.4:5)

Soon all the plants grew into the full splendor, trees, bushes and flowers. The growth can be this quick,because this is Faith's garden. She has got some help for the work:"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."(1 Cor.3:6,7) As you can see, God himself is willing to help us to grow up:"until Christ is formed in you." (Gal.4:19)

One of the trees bears wonderful fruit. It's very beautiful tree, and her fragrance extends far around:"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy. peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, self-control." (Gal.5:22,23) There are many kinds of berries, but perhaps the most delicious sort is the holiness:"But now having been set free from sin, and having becomes slaves of God, you have your fruit to the holiness, and the end, everlasting life." (Rom.6:22) Oh boy, what the beauty of the flowers and the fragrance there is in the garden:"Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."(2. Cor. 2:14)

In my opinion, Faith has done good work in the gardening, though she had no previous experience at all. I believe that her Lord will be pleased with her. Surely Faith can enjoy the fruit herself,too, but the main reason is:"that we bear fruit to Him." (Rom.7:4)

If you fell your own garden is dry and so badly needs the rain of blessings, remember these comforting words:"Elias was a man with a nature like ours,and he prayed earnestly, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit."(James 5:17,18) Pray and surely the taps in heaven will be opened. When the Lord will come one day, may He say those words to Faith adn to you as well:" Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler of many things. Enter into the joy of you Lord." (Matt.25:21),

With fertile greetings
J. P.