Cultivate

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of serving as a chaperone at our high school summer camp and spending time with many of the same 11th grade girls I have the opportunity to teach small group to throughout the year. The theme of camp was Cultivate, centered around John 15:5. Throughout the week, we were reminded that healthy fruit is only possible when we remain connected to the Vine.

As I reflected on the messages, worship, and conversations throughout the week, two things continued to stand out to me: (1) the difference between having a hard heart versus a soft heart, and (2) the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13.  

If I'm being honest, there have been seasons in my life where my heart has become hard. Not because I didn't love the Lord, but because pride, disappointment, fear, or self-reliance slowly crept in. A hard heart often sounds like, "I've got this," "I know better," or "God, I'll trust You once I see the outcome." A soft heart, however, is marked by humility. It says, "Lord, teach me." It remains tender to conviction, willing to forgive, and open to whatever God desires to do.

Ezekiel 36:26

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

God never asks us to cultivate fruit in our lives through our own strength. Instead, He asks us to remain connected to Him and allow Him to do the cultivating. The condition of our hearts matters because it determines how we receive His Word. Jesus explains this beautifully in the Parable of the Sower: 

Matthew 13:3-8

“A sower went out to sow... Some seeds fell along the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil.”

I was reminded that the seed never changes! It is always the Word of God. Instead what changes is the soil. As I sat listening alongside our students, I couldn't help but ask myself: What kind of soil am I right now? Am I allowing distractions, worries around my recent job loss, and busyness to choke out what God is trying to grow in me? Has disappointment caused my heart to become hard? Or am I creating space for His Word to take deep root and produce fruit? I think it's easy to think this passage is only for new believers or students at camp, but Jesus' question is one we should ask ourselves regularly. Cultivation is not a one-time event. It is a daily choice to abide in Christ. I’m reminded how important the continued practice of sanctification is. 

As a kid, I hated helping my mom in the yard with her and my dad’s large garden. As I’ve gotten older, I now enjoy yard work! The beautiful thing about gardening is that good soil doesn't happen accidentally. It is cultivated. Rocks are removed. Weeds are pulled. The ground is softened. God does the same thing in our lives.

Sometimes He uses trials to soften our hearts. Sometimes He uses His Word to expose areas of pride. Sometimes He uses community to encourage us, challenge us, and remind us that we are not alone.

As I watched our students worship, pray, and openly share throughout the week, I was reminded that God is always at work; cultivating hearts, planting seeds, and producing fruit in His perfect timing. And perhaps that's the encouragement we all need this week. God isn't finished with us yet. If we remain connected to the Vine, He promises that our lives will bear fruit; not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

My challenge for you (and myself) this week is to spend some time asking the Lord two simple questions:

1. Is my heart hard or soft toward You right now?

2. What kind of soil am I cultivating in my life?

Then, ask Him to reveal any areas of pride, distraction, fear, or self-reliance that may be preventing His Word from taking deep root.

Prayer Tip: Pray that God would keep your heart soft and your life firmly connected to the Vine.

Prayer Points:

• Jesus, thank You for being the Vine and allowing me to abide in You.

• Lord, reveal areas of my life where pride has hardened my heart.

• God, help me cultivate good soil so Your Word can take deep root in my life.

• Father, remove the distractions, fears, and worries that keep me from fully trusting You.

• Lord, help me remain connected to You and bear fruit that brings You glory.

• Thank You for never giving up on me and for continuing to cultivate my heart.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that apart from You, I can do nothing! Thank You for patiently cultivating my heart and continuing the work You began in me. Forgive me for the times when pride, fear, or disappointment have caused my heart to grow hard. 

Help me to remain connected to You, to abide in Your presence, and to trust You with every area of my life. Lord, make me good soil. Remove anything that prevents Your Word from taking root and producing fruit. Help me to have a soft heart that is quick to listen, quick to obey, and quick to surrender. Thank You for the students, leaders, and moments from camp that reminded me of Your faithfulness and Your goodness.

May we all leave camp asking not how we can produce more fruit, but how we can remain closer to the Vine. We trust that as we abide in You, You will do the cultivating.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Charity Inglis

Flourish Women’s Ministry

Mid-Way Baptist Church