What’s on your mind?

As I wait for the sugar snaps to grow, I think about what else I want to grow. It is almost time to plant my summer garden – the tomatoes and cucumbers and bell peppers. Do I want to add summer squash this year? Do I want to grow yellow tomatoes for my friend who is allergic to the red ones? Should I rotate my crops?

When should I will plant? Never until after tax day, but perhaps even later than that, depending on the weather and my schedule. Unlike the sugar snaps, summer plants won’t survive a freeze.

When should I till? Do I have weed barrier cloth? Do I have enough straw? How early should I buy the starter plants? Where will I keep them until I plant them? Do I need a soaker hose? Do I need a water timer?

I think about the garden a lot. It’s better than other things I could think about. I could self-obsess and consider my personality traits. I could relive the past or wonder what the writer of Yellowstone‘s family is like. I could be concerned about the Kardashians. More likely, I could wallow in grief. Instead, I am thinking about the garden.

What we think about has power.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

I see the world through the lens of whatever fills my thoughts. When gardening fills my thoughts, you can tell me whatever is going on in your life, and I can tell you how that relates to gardening.

Jesus tells us to “Love the Lord… with all your mind.” (Luke 10:27, Matt. 22:37). Paul instructs us to “pray without ceasing.” (I Thess. 5:17). My mind is to be engaged in my Christian growth. I am to see the world through the lens of His Word. I am to think about God and Jesus. Because what I think about has power.

But that thinking, that imagination, needs to be based on biblical truth.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. Proverbs 3:5

Just as I need to trust professional gardeners, millennia of experience, and proven techniques when I garden, so I need to trust God, the Bible and reliable witnesses when I am growing closer to God.

And the best way to get my brain actively involved is to read the Bible and think about it during the day. Ponder it. Meditate on it. Let it soak in. Keep reading that difficult verse and praying over it until the Spirit explains it to you.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything. John 14:26

So, while the sugar snaps are growing but it’s not yet time to plant the cucumbers, I will take this time to ponder all I want my garden to be. I will engage my mind and my imagination; and I will think about the garden.

So, while I am growing closer to God, but it’s not yet time to be with Him in heaven, I will take this time to ponder all I want my relationship with Him to be. I will engage my mind and my imagination; and I will think about God.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

What are you thinking about?

Betsy

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By this they will know that you are mine, that you love one another as I loved you. John 13:35