“A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse: a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.”
Song of Solomon 4:12 

Most of us know what it’s like to have a vegetable garden. This garden is the source of much joy, good things to eat, and satisfied fulfillment. However, this special place requires lots of elbow grease and knee pads too. Sweet corn is sweetened by sweat and peas are picked with some back pain. If you are a gardener though, you know it’s worth it. The garden can be the center of wholesome activity in the spring and summertime. You’ll get closer to God’s creation by being there and closer to God too! Even Mary Magdelene thought Jesus was the gardener! 

Did you know that there is a wonderful garden of God growing at 4 South Zetterower Avenue? There is. The name of this garden is the Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church. God has lots of fine gardens in other places too in this community and around the world. The one here at the four way stop, the big white church on the corner, means the most to us though, for this is the place from which we get our spiritual groceries. 

This verse from Solomon is talking about the church. Notice the way he describes her: a garden inclosed or protected, a sister or family relation, a spouse or significant other, a spring, or the source of life, a fountain sealed, or a secure and sustaining place. The gardens during Solomon’s reign were most elaborate and diverse. A garden there would be fenced to keep out predators and thieves. These gardens not only grew eatable foods, but also contained flowers and herbs which supported health and provided good nutrition. Some of these herbs were also used for medicinal purposes. Somewhere in the garden spot would be a fountain or a spring. Water was critical to plant life and also provided refreshment to the workers in the garden on a hot summer day. Just seeing these gardens made one feel better about everything. Likewise, just passing by a church ought to make us feel encouraged and help us when we’re down and out. To be sure though, it’s most beneficial to actually go into the church rather than just ride by one. There is something about a garden that is hard to describe or explain; you just have to be there to appreciate it. Gardens are attractive though. My family and I always enjoy prominent gardens like Callaway and the botanical ones. Yet, the greatest joy comes from the one we live out of, the one where we meet our friends and where God Himself meets with us, the local church! 

There was a time not many years ago when people literally lived out of their gardens. Vegetables grown there were canned or frozen and stored for the winter use. Gardens should never be taken for granted. Even if we buy our vegetables from the grocery store, we should remember they came from somebody’s garden. God has provided us a special garden spot here at SPBC. It is amazing to see such fellowship and comradery among workers in the garden. May God enable and cause us always to appreciate and never take for granted this garden of grace. 

The local church is local so we can use, benefit from, and work in it. It’s the one place God has provided us access to so that we can build better lives and most importantly, glorify Him. The church garden is the body of Christ and the fruit thereof is dependent on the increase which only the Lord of life provides. One of the greatest blessings of garden life is sharing the bounty with our neighbors and friends. Just having a place to work together brings people closer together. A few days ago my six year
old granddaughter Emory Grace excitingly asked me if she could help me plant the garden. A family that prays together is more likely to stay together and a church that works together will be most likely to grow together. 

If you want to have a garden though, you most likely will have to give up something you like. Last week I had to put my free range chickens in a pen. I really liked seeing those hens foraging in the pastures and my back yard, but I found out that if I wanted a garden, I’d have to sacrifice my satisfaction of letting the chickens go where they wanted to go. There may be some “chickens” we need to put up too if we want to have a place to worship God and grow in His word. 

There is always something to do in the garden and in the church. And there are things we like to do better than other things. I sure like picking tomatoes better than I like pulling weeds. Yet, I know if I don’t pull weeds, I won’t pick many tomatoes. Everybody needs something to love and something to do. God, in His grace and mercy provides the very place to do both, His church. Do not sit in the shade thinking someone else is going to do what God has called you to do. Besides, dirty hands 

make a clean heart, and a good day’s work helps us get a good night’s sleep. It’s really a privilege to work in the garden and the pay’s pretty good too! 

“So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.” Matthew 20:8 

Brother Randy