Can we plant seeds and walk away, hoping they will grow? Any gardener will give a resounding “No!” when asked this question, since only if the seeds are watered, the weeds removed, and the plants fertilized and tended, will the seeds produce plants which yield fruits. In the same way, we cannot tend to our spiritual life with the attitude of the gardener who only employs hope. We need to combine a strategy with our hope and spend time nurturing our relationship with God and keep the weeds rooted out to grow in character and yield fruit.

Mitch Showers