Winter can be pretty dreary with all the bare trees, so when spring comes… it’s such a re-
leaf. Sorry. But it is nice to see things start growing again in the spring, isn’t it? A man was so
excited for spring, he spent all winter planning, trying to decide what he would grow and
where he would place them in his large garden. He purchased all kinds of seeds and various
plants. When the first warm day finally arrived, he rushed outside, grabbed his shovel and
started digging energetically. Soon he had put in a number of vegetables. As he was watering
them down using his garden hose, a neighbor walked by and asked, “Wow, you’re really eager
to have a great garden, aren’t you?”

The man, nearly out of breath from all his effort, smiled at the neighbor saying, “You have no
idea! I’m so excited, I think I just wet my plants!”

That brings to mind the words of Paul in his first letter to the believers in Corinth. “…the Lord
has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making
it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who
makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they
will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service…”
(I Corinthians 3:5-9) What a privilege it is to be partnering with God Almighty in building His
kingdom- or in this case, I guess the proper metaphor would be growing God’s garden!

Every Christian has a responsibility, a task to fulfill. Some, like Paul, may be involved in
planting seeds, sharing God’s Word especially with non-believers, speaking Biblical truth into
another’s life that they might develop faith in Christ. Some seeds might be planted in the life
of a fellow-Christian challenging them to use their talents, perhaps stepping into a new area of
ministry. Others, like Apollos, are involved in watering that seed, helping faith to grow. That
may happen as we fellowship and worship with others or as we use our God-given gifts to
teach them, lead them, serve them or encourage them in some way. I’m of the firm belief that
that a believer is seldom at a complete standstill in their walk with Christ. They’re either
moving ahead, growing or moving backwards, beginning to wither spiritually- in danger of
dying. So those who are involved in helping a brother or sister in Christ to grow are
tremendously important.

And yet, we’re reminded from I Corinthians that while we certainly have a purpose in God’s
garden and He will reward us for our faithful service, our efforts mean nothing without the
Lord’s involvement. He is the One Who actually brings about growth. Our role is in helping the
Grower- and that takes a lot of pressure off us! Today’s farmer realizes they can work their
fields and diligently plant and fertilize, but any success in growing a crop is ultimately in God’s
hands. The same is true for us. So be faithful in doing your part in working in the Lord’s
garden- including in wetting your plants- and just see what the Master Gardener can do!

In His Service, Jim

Scripture Spotlight “…the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos
watered it, but God has been making it grow.” I Corinthians 3:5b-6