The beauty of a garden is no accident. A garden is cultivated. There’s a lot of digging, bending, dirt on the hands and mud on the shoes.

Only weeds grow without work.

So it is with the soul. If you want a beautiful soul, be willing to do the work of cultivation.

1) The weeding of repentance: eradicate competing interests that choke out what matters most.

2) The heart preparation of forgiveness: not every planting blooms; some don’t survive. The same is true of relationships. In acceptance lies peace. Let it go.

3) The regular water of God’s word. Good seed in prepared soil and consistent tending helps a garden grow. Yet, without water, a garden is doomed. Jesus is the water of life. Without Him, the living Word, it all comes to nothing. “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

It takes time and intention to grow something of value. Whether it’s growing in grace and in the knowledge of God, growing food that feeds the belly or flowers whose beauty are a feast for the eye, it all takes time.

Growth also has a season. “There’s a time to plant and a time to uproot what was planted.” (Ecclesiastes 3:2b)

Grow in season. Enjoy the process. Reap the rewards, now and later.