Lessons from a Garden

Lesson 6: Plant in Hope

We'd decided what to plant and where. We'd prepared the ground and purchesed seeds for the vegetable garden and plants from the nursery for the flower garden. Now it was time to plant. We started with the flower garden. We sorted out the tiny flower plants and laid them on the ground to create a pattern of colors that we thought would look good. Then we dug shallow holes in the earth and carefully place each individual plant into its place. When finished, it looked very promising. For the vegetable garden we dug shallow trenches and filled each one with seeds. A row of carrots here, a row of beans there etc. Then we covered the seeds with a shallow layer of soil. When finished all we could see was a flat area of soil... and a lot of hope in our heart. We also put in some tomato and rhubarb plants and a raspbury bush.

Christian witnessing and evangelism has often been described as planting seeds. In fact Jesus compared himself to a farmer who was scattering seeds on his land. Although not all the seeds would germinate, take root, and produce a crop, some would. For that reason the farmer did not lose heart. Jesus planted seeds of faith as He preached the gospel and ministered to people. One of our responsibilities as Christians is to plant seeds of faith as Jesus did. Plant in hope.

2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.