Gardening and God: nurturing plants has been a spiritual practice from the beginning

[Michie]

(Photo: Unsplash/Benjamin Combs)

For many enthusiasts, tending flower beds and growing vegetables is a spiritual activity that helps them grow closer to God. It has been this way throughout Christian history, perhaps inspired by the story of the very beginning of humankind in the perfect paradise of Eden.

Then from the earliest days of monasticism, to modern smallholders and homesteaders, faith and working on the land have been deeply associated with one another.

Biblical lessons

Of course for most people in the world, and in the West before the modern era, survival and life itself depended on the practice of horticulture. Everyone except the very wealthy would enrich their diet by cultivating vegetables and fruits in any ground that could be found, and a much larger proportion of the population worked as small farmers. Perhaps this is one reason why the Bible is full of references to and metaphors of plant growth to teach about spiritual life.

The fertility and abundance of good fruit is contrasted with the aridity and famine of a desert throughout. Jesus chose cultivation to illustrate spiritual growth in the parable of the sower; in Psalm 1 those who meditate on scripture are "like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season." Gardening therefore brings a deeper understanding of these passages, as well as awe of the beauty of the created world.

Eden

Continued below.

Gardening and God: nurturing plants has been a spiritual practice from the beginning

Then from the earliest days of monasticism, to modern smallholders and homesteaders, faith and working on the land have been deeply associated with one another.

www.christiantoday.com

 

[AlexB23]

(Photo: Unsplash/Benjamin Combs)

For many enthusiasts, tending flower beds and growing vegetables is a spiritual activity that helps them grow closer to God. It has been this way throughout Christian history, perhaps inspired by the story of the very beginning of humankind in the perfect paradise of Eden.

Then from the earliest days of monasticism, to modern smallholders and homesteaders, faith and working on the land have been deeply associated with one another.

Biblical lessons

Of course for most people in the world, and in the West before the modern era, survival and life itself depended on the practice of horticulture. Everyone except the very wealthy would enrich their diet by cultivating vegetables and fruits in any ground that could be found, and a much larger proportion of the population worked as small farmers. Perhaps this is one reason why the Bible is full of references to and metaphors of plant growth to teach about spiritual life.

The fertility and abundance of good fruit is contrasted with the aridity and famine of a desert throughout. Jesus chose cultivation to illustrate spiritual growth in the parable of the sower; in Psalm 1 those who meditate on scripture are "like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season." Gardening therefore brings a deeper understanding of these passages, as well as awe of the beauty of the created world.

Eden

Continued below.

Gardening and God: nurturing plants has been a spiritual practice from the beginning

Then from the earliest days of monasticism, to modern smallholders and homesteaders, faith and working on the land have been deeply associated with one another.

www.christiantoday.com

I made a similar post, but in relation to farming, as both gardening and farming show us how to have patience and faith. For myself, I do not farm, but the verses relate to planting stuff:

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV): "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."

2 Timothy 2:6 (NIV): "The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops."

James 1:2-4 (NIV): "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

We are Farmers [For Christ]

Hello folks. Remember that Farmer's insurance advert, that went: "We are farmers". Well, we kinda are farmers for Christ's Kingdom, sowing a hope for others. Farmers Insurance Commercial (Duration: 5 seconds) Date June 4, 2024 | We Are Farmers [for God’s Kingdom] Verse Deuteronomy 28:8...

www.christianforums.com

 

[jacks]

It all started in a garden.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15

 

[AlexB23]

It all started in a garden.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15

Amen to that. Hopefully we can garden in heaven.

Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV): "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."

 

[jacks]

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."

What a beautiful image. I look forward to seeing you there!

 

[AlexB23]

What a beautiful image. I look forward to seeing you there!

Same here. As long as Russia or China does not nuke us in a decade or less, the world does not end, or an accident happens, expect to see me up there in around 60 years time (if I make it to 80-90).

 

[jacks]

Same here. As long as Russia or China does not nuke us in a decade or less, the world does not end, or an accident happens, expect to see me up there in around 60 years time (if I make it to 80-90).

I will probably be there sooner, I will save you a seat.

 

[AlexB23]

I will probably be there sooner, I will save you a seat.

Jesus will save us all a seat, as Christians. Thank you, brother. But, we must fulfill the mission God gave us on Earth first, and try to bring more people to Christ.