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Any time I see a beautiful garden, I can’t help but pause and take in the beauty of it all. The array of colors, the contrasting textures, the delicate symmetry of the plants… it’s as though a little piece of heaven was planted here on this earth.

I admire people who tend to their gardens, because I know the diligence and effort it takes to keep them looking that way.  As I got to thinking about this today, I was reminded how this process of planting and pulling out weeds can be likened to our spiritual journey as we cultivate a relationship with the Lord, carefully tending to our faith with each choice and action we take.

Central to our garden of faith is a hedge of protection–a living symbol of the breastplate of righteousness that Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:14. Not a physical boundary, but rather a manifestation of God’s grace, encircling the beauty of our faith while guarding it from the world’s temptations and trials.

This hedge offers more than defense; it’s a sacred space for spiritual growth and communion with God. It’s a place of retreat to be alone with the Lord, to pray, and to listen. In the midst of life’s chaos. It’s our haven of peace and stillness.

Paul’s words are a call to diligence. A reminder to nurture and protect this sacred place from which our faith blooms and thoughts stem. To keep it safe from the elements of this world by digging into scripture, following the example of Christ and bringing our burdens to prayer.

While the breastplate serves as a shield of protection, it’s important to remember that it’s not of our own making.  Certainly we put in the effort to keep our hearts safe, but ultimately it’s the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us that’s keeping us from temptation, that’s giving us the will to follow the example of Christ, and empowering us to act in accordance with God’s will:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. – Philippians 2:12-13, NIV

This Week’s Challenge

Keep watch over your heart this week and guard it according to God’s Word. Don’t let anything contrary to His will slip by unnoticed.

This Week’s Bible Verse

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

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