The Spiritual Garden

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Spiritual Baggage

by Chris Mullis

“Then Jesus told this story: A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down” (Luke 13:6-9).

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. I researched how to grow different kinds of fruits and vegetables. I kept track of the rain so I knew if the plants needed extra water. I am careful to fertilize, spray for bugs and watch for other problems. I even paid someone to take care of the garden while I was away for a week of vacation.

It has been amazing to see the success of the garden this year. I am still not what I would call a great gardener. However, even a mediocre gardener like me can be successful when they stay focused.

Many people neglect their spiritual life like I have neglected my vegetable garden in the past. They may get excited about some spiritual truth from time to time or maybe they turn to God during a difficult crisis. Unfortunately, sporadic spiritual gardening rarely leads to great spiritual fruit. You might get some occasional fig here or there, but you will not see the kind of fruitfulness our Heavenly Gardener expects or deserves.

An abundant harvest requires intentional, focused daily work. You do not have to go live in a monastery, but you do need to get organized, plan ahead, do some research, and dedicate some daily time in your spiritual garden.

You are going to need to do some watering (praying), fertilizing (reading Scripture), weeding (getting rid of some bad influences in your life), pruning (getting rid of some unnecessary things), and guarding against pests (temptations or habits or people or things that threaten your spiritual health).

Gardening takes work and so does living for God, but the fruit is rewarding and worth it! What can you do to be more fruitful for God today?

About The Author

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.