My nephew has become an avid gardener. His Tiktok page “Charley P’s Garden” is filled with content of luscious greens, lettuce, radish, corn, cucumber, eggplant, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, okra, watermelon, cantaloupe, fig trees, olive trees, lemon trees, kumquat trees, and other fruit and vegetables that I’ve forgotten or can’t spell. He says, “Coming home is the best part of my day.”
Recently, he posted his indoor seedlings—planted in July and August—they’re sprouting and will be ready for September planting in his fall garden. Impressive!
Watching him, I’ve come to understand that gardening is year-round. Long after his plants have yielded their fruit, he gathers, categorizes, and prepares seeds from the next season.
His diligence reminded me of Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus.”
The mind is fertile soil.
Be mindful. For those of us who say we're Christians, the mind of Christ should be in us, upon us, and all over us year-round. But the mind of Christ requires tending. Even as we enjoy the fruit of God’s blessings (and our labor) we should also be preparing and tending our minds for the next season, just as Charley P prepares his garden.
Having the mind of Christ doesn’t mean we’ll be perfect year-round. It means we’ll strive to ensure that our lives are well-nourished by the Word of God—year-round; that our focus is thoughtfully planted in the ways of God—year-round; that our prayers are fertilize by God’s Holy Spirit—year-round; and that our heart is carefully rooted in a foundation based on Jesus Christ as Savior year-round.
I'll never have a green thumb, but I can tend the garden of my mind. Let’s prepare for the next season by working to tend our minds like a garden, developing the ways and the mind of Christ—year-round.
Thank you Charley P....I'm ready for Thanksgiving Harvest!!!