Cultivated to Cultivate: Becoming a Watered Garden
Insights from "The Green Letters: Principles of Spiritual Growth" by Miles J. Stanford
"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
— Isaiah 58:11
Imagine a master gardener, lovingly tending to a barren plot of land. At first glance, the soil seems dry and lifeless, but the gardener sees its hidden potential. With patience and care, he digs deep, removing weeds, rocks, and anything that hinders growth. Slowly but surely, that barren land is transformed into a flourishing, fruitful garden.
In much the same way, God, the divine Husbandman, begins His work in us by cultivating our hearts. This process often starts by digging downward, revealing the depths of our self-life—our pride, independence, and misplaced priorities. While this cultivation can be uncomfortable and even painful, it is a necessary preparation for His greater purpose: to grow Christ in us and ultimately through us for the benefit of others.
The Downward Work of Cultivation
Stanford reminds us that God’s first work is not external activity but internal transformation. Like the gardener breaking up hard soil, God reveals our need for Him and teaches us to depend on His life within. Too often, we rush into serving others, eager to make an impact. Yet, as Stanford emphasizes, much of our early service is for our own growth rather than others’ benefit.
It is through these moments of cultivation—where God patiently uproots our self-reliance and reveals His sufficiency—that we begin to reflect Christ. Our service becomes less about “doing” for God and more about being transformed into His image.
The Balance of Growth and Service
Balance is key in God’s cultivation. If we focus solely on external service without allowing God to work deeply in our hearts, our efforts may lack depth and sustainability. On the other hand, if we retreat into spiritual isolation, avoiding the call to serve, we miss the opportunity to grow through the trials and joys of ministering to others.
As Isaiah 58:11 describes, the result of God’s faithful cultivation is a life that becomes “like a well-watered garden.” The fruitfulness of our lives is not dependent on our striving but on His life flowing through us. Just as a garden doesn’t water itself but relies on the gardener’s provision, we grow by abiding in Christ and allowing Him to work in and through us.
A Parable of the Hive
J.B. Stoney offers a powerful metaphor: “The quality of one’s work depends on the nature of one’s rest.” Imagine a beekeeper tending to a hive. The bees work tirelessly, but their productivity is only sustainable because they return to the hive—a place of rest, nourishment, and renewal.
Our spiritual lives mirror this truth. True service flows from a place of rest in Christ. It’s not our efforts or ambitions that produce lasting fruit but the overflow of a life centered on Him. When we allow God to cultivate our hearts, our service becomes a natural extension of His life within us, not a frantic attempt to prove our worth or achieve results.
Confidence in God’s Work
As God cultivates us, He also teaches us to trust His timing and methods. Whether through seasons of pruning, growth, or harvest, we can rest in the knowledge that He is working all things for His glory and our good.
A Prayer of Rest and Trust
Father,
Thank You for being the master gardener of our lives, faithfully cultivating us to reflect Your Son. We rest in Your wisdom and trust Your timing as You prepare us to serve others. Thank You for the work You’ve already done in our hearts and for the promise that You will complete it. Let our lives be like a well-watered garden, bringing refreshment and hope to those around us. May our service flow from a place of rest in You, reflecting Your life and love to a world in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought
Just as a garden requires careful cultivation to bear fruit, so too must our hearts be prepared by God’s hand. The inward work may feel slow, but it is the foundation for a fruitful and restful life that reflects His glory. Let us embrace His cultivation, trusting that He is making us into vessels through which His life can flow abundantly.