Gardener

Even before mankind was created God had planted a garden into which they were placed and instructed to "work it and take care of it" (Gen 2:8,9,15). Yet Adam and Eve were not obedient and one of the many negative outcomes of their monumental blunder was "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it...It will produce thorns and thistles..." making any sort of agriculture difficult (Gen 3:17,18).

In the parable of the vine and its branches, God the Father is called the gardener (Jn 15:1). He is the one who knows what is best for and can provide for the plants in His care. He desires that we, the branches are fruitful. This involves painful discipline (pruning) to remove what is not profitable or beneficial for the sole aim is to stimulate

Do I co-operate with the ‘Gardener’ of my soul?

production of more fruit. However, some branches are totally unproductive and are removed completely. Unless this focused goal to reap an increased harvest from the seed sown eventuates the law of sowing and reaping is violated.

A gardener always does what is best for the garden and plants for they see the potential and desire a bountiful crop.