The Garden Lesson
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8, NIV
I remember when I first started my garden. I was so eager to spend time with God and hear Him speak to me. I loved going out, sitting by my garden boxes, and waiting to hear from Him. As a new gardener with little experience, I wasn’t aware of all the work involved in gardening. Gently, God began to guide me, showing me what I needed to do to ensure the plants produced the fruit I was hoping for.
Now, I have to tell you, I dislike bugs very much—but there are all kinds of bugs in a garden. Some are beneficial, while others can destroy it completely. One day, as I was sitting by my garden boxes, waiting to hear from God, I noticed some large leaves on one of my plants. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Turn that leaf over and look at it; it has some holes in it.” I turned the leaf over and saw tiny white specks. I didn’t know they were bugs or even that they could harm the plant.
Wearing gloves, I brushed them off as prompted. Then I inspected the other leaves and saw more of the same white stuff. I took out my phone and looked it up on Google—my first introduction to aphids!
Definition of aphids: a tiny bug that feeds by sucking sap from plants. It reproduces rapidly, often producing live young without mating, and can live in large colonies that cause extensive damage to crops. I have come to really dislike aphids!
The aphids had shown up without notice and would have destroyed my garden if God hadn’t guided me to pay attention. I immediately sprayed the plant and cut off some of the leaves to give it a fresh start. I’ve since learned that when I see ants in my garden, it’s a sign to look out for aphids!
Satan operates in much the same way—he never announces himself. Instead, he comes undercover. For example, I love working in the church and was happily serving in various roles. Serving and helping others made me feel fulfilled. But one day, God stopped me. He said, “I don’t want you to serve in any capacity at the church.” I was shocked. But He said, “No,” and sat me down.
During that season, He began to show me that I was covered with “aphids” that were about to take me out. He revealed that I was finding gratification and approval from others, and this was feeding my ego. Pride was creeping in. The Bible says, “Pride comes before destruction.” I had no idea! Although I was serving at the church, I was, in fact, serving myself. Satan had taken something good and turned it into self-destruction for me.
God showed me that I was on a path to destruction without even realizing it. Although that time was difficult, I am so grateful for the lessons I received. He opened my heart and eyes to truly see Him. He taught me that if my service is not for an audience of One—Him—I could be destroyed and not even know it. That’s exactly how the aphids work in my garden. They suck the life out of the plant.
Now, I practice preventative care in my garden. I spray before I see signs of aphids. I also do preventive maintenance in my service, checking in with God before I say yes to any activity. He keeps my heart aligned, and I seek His direction in my serving.
Key points:
Satan is always lurking especially in the good things.
Seek first the Kingdom of God in all things.
Check your flesh, it's always seeking some kind of self-gratification.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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