Many years ago, when I sent my eldest daughter off to college, I stayed at a friend’s house. The school was in a rural area where fresh vegetables, beloved by Chinese people, were hard to find. So, my friend planted a variety of vegetables in his backyard. Autumn was a harvest season. Each day, I joined him in the garden, picking fresh vegetables and later enjoying delicious meals together—a rare and delightful experience. The most memorable were the small bowls of cherry tomatoes we had daily. They were shiny, brilliantly red, and incredibly delicious. After returning home, I immediately dug out a piece of land in my backyard and began my own amateur gardening journey. However, I soon discovered that growing vegetables in Seattle was no easy task. There were many pitfalls—something that any brother and sister who has tried gardening would surely relate to.

Through years of learning, practice, and sharing experiences with my fellow amateur “farmers,” I gradually figured out some useful techniques, and now I have a decent harvest every year. I realized the key is to plan and prepare in advance to reap the joy of the harvest. Missing the right season could mean an entire year of effort in vain. Of course, diligent and consistent labor is also essential.

As a less-than-perfect amateur “farmer,” the saying “A year’s plan lies in spring” resonates deeply with me. Without proper planning in spring, there can be no fruitful harvest throughout the year. Likewise, as children of God, our spiritual growth also requires thoughtful planning and steadfast practice. One defining feature of modern society is busyness. In his book, Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster reminds us, “Hurry is not of the devil; it is the devil.” Busyness fills every second of our lives, leaving us with no time for reading the Bible, praying, meditating on God’s word, or drawing near to the Lord. If gardening demands thoughtful planning and attentive care, then surely the growth of our spiritual lives requires even more careful planning and diligent practice. If we miss a planting season, we can try again next year, but the time we have on this earth never returns. We must plan our time wisely, setting aside ample time for our spiritual growth. Though life’s responsibilities are many, we can still carve out moments to sit quietly before the Lord, stay intimately connected with Him, and draw strength from the best portion He has prepared for us.

Translated by: Chet/Mabel Siew