Gardening or Managing our Growth?

The gradual and inevitable work of a good God in our lives

“Succulents are so easy. You can hardly kill them!”

Sure. Sure. People say this but this has not been my experience. I estimate that I have killed at least twelve succulents over the years. A few have been from under-watering but most of the deaths have come at the hand of my over-watering. I get anxious and then I over-do it.

My early attempts to care for plants were frustrating. But I was determined to get better. I read and studied. I started with the easiest ones and got a few wins under my belt. I learned to not be tempted to try to raise plants that were high maintenance; I need easy and I am not embarrassed to say that. (Thank goodness for the pothos family of houseplants.)

Photo by Angèle Kamp on Unsplash

Trying to be a plant lady has taught me about the spiritual life - our life that is hidden in Christ. Scripture uses botanical metaphors many times. One of my favorites is John 15. It contains one of Jesus’ “I am” declarations about Himself in which He uses the metaphor of plants and botany. Jesus calls Himself the Vine and refers to God as the Gardener. We, dear people, are branches. Kind of a humble position for us at first glance. But what a gift.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Early on, I hadn’t imagined God to be a gardener when it came to my growth and development. I had imagined God to be much more of an exasperated, high-pressure construction manager. Things are behind! Materials are missing! Messes are everywhere! Get this place cleaned up!

But if God is more Gardener than Project Manager, what might that mean about our growth and progress in our spiritual lives? I’m going to offer two words: gradual and inevitable.

I don’t know very many people who like the word gradual. I just got impatient waiting four minutes for a chatty person ordering coffee ahead of me. I mostly want things to be fast.

But isn’t plant life - vine life, if you will - a gradual process? There is an element of time that cannot be bypassed. You can’t stomp your feet and make it grow faster. How do you make a tree hustle or hurry up? In general, plants grow on the slow. This is true of human physical development as well - even with accounting for growth spurts. It seems like my son went from a regular size boy to a six-foot giant overnight. But it was gradual - I could hardly mark it as it was happening and yet the difference in hindsight is remarkable.

Gradual is a good thing.

Let’s move to a more exciting word: inevitable.

If we are connected to the Vine - to Jesus - we can be assured that our growth and fruit will be inevitable. It will happen. Why? Because we have the best Gardener and the healthiest Root and Vine. And when you have that kind of setup, things will grow and change and develop. Our effort to remain and to abide with Christ will inevitably produce fruit.

Remember the promise of John 15: If you remain in me (Jesus) and I in you, you will bear much fruit. You can trust the botanical process.

I should just end it here but will be a bit more vulnerable. I think a lot about how our view of God is the foundation for our lives. And if we imagine God is project-managing us to death, we will, in turn, do that to others.

Just last week, I was gently reminded of this imagery again. With someone I am close with, I was beginning to approach their growth and development as an exasperated project manager. Things are getting behind schedule! I noticed the anxiety and building frustration. And while on a walk, this imagery of God as a Gardener came to me. Ah, that’s right. God takes joy in what He is tending in our lives - He knows it is gradual and takes time. And I can trust that fruit will inevitably be produced. I am not good enough to be the Gardener or the Vine for my loved ones. But there is One who is. And I can trust my loved ones to the Gardener’s good care. The best I can do is champion their connection to the Vine.

The Gardener takes joy in our connection. Reminding ourselves of that joy increases our desire to remain connected and close. And that is a really good thing.

Peace to you as you continue to grow.