Springtime means planting gardens. Whether flowers or vegetables, we all like to have beautiful, bountiful produce from plants we have placed in the ground.

To be effective gardeners, we must follow several steps. First, we must find and prepare the soil so that the plants have a place to grow. Second, we must select the plants. Then we must water and fertilize the plants to nourish them and make sure they receive sun and rain to help them grow and produce. Keeping the pests away is the final step.

In like manner, God is looking for fruit from us. He is like the gardener. He prepares the "soil" by sending forth His Word through His servants. The gospel is preached, and those called hear that message and begin to respond (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20).

Second, he calls us and leads us to repentance (John 6:44; Romans 2:4) as He selects the "plants" (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). These plants are not always what others think are the "best" plants, but God chooses whom He wants.

God gives His Holy Spirit after baptism. The Spirit is like life-giving water (John 4:10). It refreshes and aids in a Christian's development (Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:7). Christ's ministry provides nourishment through feeding us the Word of God to help us develop Christ's character (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-15; 2 Timothy 4:1-4).

Finally, to keep the pests away, there is instruction to avoid false teachers, false doctrines and false practices that would turn one's heart from God and destroy the produce and the plant (2 Peter 2:18-22).

Let us look to God as our Gardener so that we may yield to Him and use God's Spirit to bear the bountiful fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As Jesus Christ said, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8).