Gardener and Fruit

"Yeah, I know". That's the problem, we may or may -not- know... but then we may or may not -do- even when we truly know...

Tending one's own garden, that is, right self-care is essential or we'll never be able to give, share, bless others as we are on this planet to do. I speak as a follower of Jesus Christ.

We've all heard the saying "Garbage in, garbage out" and it's true.

I have known many so paralyzed by abuses -both self-issued and by others- that they've just given up tending themselves in healthy ways that promote good changes, lasting growth and which feed curiosity, study and greater knowledge toward more of both.

I meet people behind bars all the time whose spiritual bars enforce their stinking thinking which goes like "It's true, I'm worthless, without value, have no hope except in the next fix- whatever that is and however I can get it." The revolving door of incarceration is their constant reminder of all this. Whether innocent of charges, guilty of all or some cop, detective or prosecutor decided their gig and progress was more important than another human being, those sitting behind bars often end up in weeds, continually choking out good fruit or any possibility of a harvest of anything beyond ever more weeds, thorns and rotten produce.

Such is a metaphor for many peep's spiritual lives -and yes, at times even among church fellowships or otherwise professing followers of Jesus.

Please know I'm an expert in nearly nothing but what I experienced in my own life prior to and shortly after surrendering to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You've read above the short form of what I learned early on, much of it with teams interacting in a wide range of unbelievers, street people, urban and rural folks, churches, types of Christian fellowships and over the years in many, many jail and multiple prison lockups ministering to folks, studying the justice system -not only in the U.S. but abroad.

Granted, DNA, upbringing in family and school, in many cases horrible experiences and more contribute to one choosing to ignore or shrug and not bother pulling weeds, planting new seeds, watering and tending one's own life -but we see the results of that personal neglect everywhere -don't we?!

We stop being curious, learning, listening to others who day-to-day exhibit more health (not merely power) than we have. We choose people who agree with our negative, regular spiraling un-change, non-growth, stagnant piece of blight. I prescribe Psalm One!!!

God is everything about making things new and constantly wooing us to Himself as the answer -but listening to Him, His Word (Bible) and seeking Him in prayer and then indeed, doing the work of tending our garden if left undone begins to slowly move us away from Him, others and any real possibility to help -them- if and as they're open, to truly help them in their own struggles and needs.

Spiritual atrophy is a too-common tradition among all kinds of people on this planet. It is quite possible to change, but "Do you WANT to be made well?" Jesus asked the person.

There is but one flawless, Perfect Gardener. We each choose to learn and apply from Him or not.

I thank God Almighty for hitting rock bottom, recognizing my ground could be broken up, made productive, even fruitful -but sadly that's what it took for me to finally surrender to the Gardener of souls!

May you seek Him and "put your hand to the plow" without looking back. God is as supremely capable as we apart from Him are not.

As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn