Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
The Spiritual Garden
“T
by Chris Mullis
hen Jesus told this story: A man planted a fig
get excited about some spiritual truth from time to time
tree in his garden and came again and again
or maybe they turn to God during a difficult crisis.
to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was
Unfortunately, sporadic spiritual gardening rarely leads to
always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve
great spiritual fruit. You might get some occasional fig here
waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it
or there, but you will not see the kind of fruitfulness our
down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ The gardener
Heavenly Gardener expects or deserves.
answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another
An abundant harvest requires intentional, focused daily
year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.
work. You do not have to go live in a monastery, but you
If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it
do need to get organized, plan ahead, do some research,
down” (Luke 13:6-9).
and dedicate some daily time in your spiritual garden.
I am not much of a gardener, at least I was not until this year. I have tried to grow gardens in the past with limited success. I might get a few tomatoes or cucumbers, but it seems everyone else had “greener” thumbs than me. My biggest challenge was consistent attention. I would start the season with great enthusiasm, but my life soon filled with so many other obligations that the garden would get neglected and its fruitfulness would suffer too. So, this year, I was determined not to lose focus on my garden. Before the season started, I planned everything out. I charted when and where I should plant, how often to fertilize, and when to harvest, etc. After planting, I walked through the garden every day to prune and pull weeds.
You are going to need to do some watering (praying),
I researched how to grow different kinds of fruits and
fertilizing (reading Scripture), weeding (getting rid of
vegetables. I kept track of the rain so I knew if the plants
some bad influences in your life), pruning (getting rid of
needed extra water. I am careful to fertilize, spray for bugs
some unnecessary things), and guarding against pests
and watch for other problems. I even paid someone to take
(temptations or habits or people or things that threaten your
care of the garden while I was away for a week of vacation.
spiritual health).
It has been amazing to see the success of the garden
Gardening takes work and so does living for God, but
this year. I am still not what I would call a great gardener.
the fruit is rewarding and worth it! What can you do to be
However, even a mediocre gardener like me can be
more fruitful for God today?
Many people neglect their spiritual life like I have neglected my vegetable garden in the past. They may
6 // August 2021
About The Author
successful when they stay focused. Rev. Chris Mullis is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church with a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Pastor Chris’s ministry has spanned twenty years and four different churches in Georgia. Chris is currently serving God as the senior pastor of Pleasant Grove Methodist Church located at 2701 Cleveland Hwy in Dalton, GA.
