The One Who Is At Work In Me

In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life. James 1:21 The Message

From the first time I read this verse in The Message I fell in love with it! We live in a house that was once owned by a professional landscaper. For nearly ten years now we have enjoyed the beauty and benefits of his work. All the cultivating, planting, weeding, designing, and decorating by his hands left his mark on our yard and is a continual delight to our eyes as we watch the various flowers and plants come to life each spring.

When I stop to realize that God is landscaping my life with His Word I am in awe. Whether He is planting seeds for later growth, removing weeds of sin as I repent, rearranging the things and people in my life, or just adding special touches here and there, I am learning to trust His skillful hands and tender heart.

Sometimes the seeds He is planting are watered by the tears that have fallen due to loss or disappointment. No matter what He is doing, I have learned to trust Him for a beautiful outcome in the future. With each work He is doing, I am learning to see the necessity of it. Even if I don’t know the specific purpose I can at least look up to Him and agree with Him that it is needful. He is not One to do anything that ends up being wasted or insignificant. Like a treasured painting, each stroke of the brush is intentional and essential.

Each day I must choose whether or not I will entrust myself to the Potter’s hands and the Landscaper’s labor of love. While I know there will be tears at times, I also know there will be laughter. There will be the right blend of rain and sunshine. Sometimes I will walk amidst storm clouds and harsh winds and other times I will experience clear skies and absolute stillness. I leave the weather, the work, and the wonder up to Him who is the essence of wisdom and miracles.

This morning as I head to North Carolina I will review the past landscaping that He has done and the present landscaping that He is doing. It will be a discipline that will build my excitement and expectations for His future gardening. I am the recipient of the work of His own hands.

Father, I yield to Your touch. Nothing in my life is off limits to You. I know You have already planned out every detail of the landscaping to be done. Glorify Yourself through the entire process as I know the end result will far exceed my wildest imaginations. I love You! Amen.