After all of the hard work of tilling the soil, planting the seeds, and weeding the garden, the fruit begins to grow! It is fun to watch as the blooms turn into tiny fruit and grow until they are ripe to pick. Although the weeding is a continual process, the fruit is the reward of all of that hard work. Not only do you receive fresh food, but you have the opportunity to share some with others.
Remember these words of warning? “15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17). These verses teach us to recognize we are not to love the things of the world, but at the same time we are to find the will of God for our lives. After learning to love the Lord, choosing the things to allow into my heart and life that please Him, I move on to the most important thing for me to do – to find the will of God for my life. This means that a choice, a definite decision, has to be made to do what God wants me to do with my life. I must find the jobs (things) He has for me to do and do them will all of my might. Moses wasn’t planning on leading the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, but he obeyed God and did it to the best of his ability. Esther did not set out to become queen in a foreign land and save her people, but when the task was before her she did what God had for her to do. The Bible is full of people who had very difficult, life endangering, things God had for them to do (think Daniel and Paul). Who am I to complain about the minor things that He requires of me?! I just need to be faithful to do them with a right heart to the best of my ability! I can’t help but think of one of my favorite Bible characters and some of his final words to his son. David told his son, Solomon, the following before he made him king over God’s people: “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9).
And also remember what else King David said: “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 28:20). These are two great verses for anyone who wants to please the Lord. They should hold these words fast to their heart! I am blessed to not only have parents who love and serve the Lord, but they also taught me (and still remind me occasionally) the importance of doing the same. I taught these things to my children (and I still remind them occasionally!). I know that God has a plan for my life, and I am doing my best to do what He wants me to do. Because God has a plan for your life, know that He will be with you and help you do it!
