Chaos in the Garden | May 19th

 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

  Hebrews 3:12-13

  Beloved, we can all agree that this past winter was particularly challenging. Recently, I began the late spring clean-up and noticed that the yard reflected both the severity of the season and the effects of delayed maintenance. A mink had emptied the Koi pond of all its fish, and broken branches were scattered throughout the yard. Restoring the garden to its original beauty and tranquility will require significant effort.

  This process reminded me of the importance of tending to our hearts. Our minds and spirits can quickly descend into chaos if they are not guided by the Word of God. We must remain vigilant in guarding our hearts to prevent the resurgence of our old nature or the cares of life from hindering spiritual growth.

  It is reassuring to know that we are not alone in this endeavor. We are called to seek the Lord’s assistance and rely on the Holy Spirit to convict, strengthen, and encourage us. Scripture identifies the aspects of our lives that require transformation so that the life of Christ may be evident within us. Although this work is demanding, it is not without hope. With God, all things are possible. Let us dedicate ourselves to this ongoing process as the Spirit renews the garden of our lives each day.

In Christ Alone.

Pastor Wight