Inspired by the Parable of the Sower, which I wrote about a few weeks ago, I have been having some further thoughts about establishing and maintaining a garden and seeing this as an illustration of how we can develop strong, godly eating habits.

I am not much of a gardener myself but I have observed that where a garden  is mature or well-established and where there has obviously been much care and attention, there comes a time when weeds seem to become far less of a problem.  They simply haven’t got the room to flourish. When, however, the garden is in its early stages of being developed weeding is a constant necessity. Bushes may have been planted and plants bedded, but because they have to be given room to grow there can be a lot of empty space with bare soil, and this is just the kind of environment which weeds take full advantage of.  Neglect the weeding process for just a week or two and before you know it the garden is looking a mess.  Neglect it a month and these prolific unwanted guests will have taken over!

It seems that there are two activities taking place, one positive and the other negative.  On the one hand the gardener is lovingly and painstakingly tending the plants, making sure that they have adequate water and that the soil is nourished. Sometimes they need to be cut back, not only to give them a better shape, but also so that they will grow stronger and have more blooms. But at the same time the gardener must actively root out the imposters – those prolific weeds which are unwanted, fast-growing and reproduce in no time.  If he does not do this they will develop strong roots and be very difficult to eradicate.

As you seek to overcome your disordered eating, it may help for you to view this aspect of your life as a wilderness which you, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, are seeking to transform. To start with it seems a daunting task.  Weeds abound, their roots are deep and the job of clearing them demands your utmost attention.  As described in the book, ‘How to Stop Dieting and Start Living’ these roots can be any number of things:  stress, inner emptiness due to loneliness, boredom or spiritual hunger, low self-esteem, unresolved pain, fear, a diet mentality and greed.  But gradually, with due diligence, you begin to win the battle and in the cleared ground, as you are rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17) the seeds of godly eating habits, are planted. You discover what it is to eat just as much as your body needs, in total freedom, yet responsibly; you begin to gain a new respect for your body, choosing to eat those foods which will strengthen and enhance it and you seek to bring your entire relationship with food into godly submission under the all-wise guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As the roots of this new way of eating go deeper, so you will become stronger in your faith, and the weeds of your former unrestrained, unhealthy eating behaviour will have less opportunity to take over. The garden is transformed; it is beautiful!  Of course it will always need maintenance.  The plants and bushes require pruning, which may be painful at times and there will always be the need to make sure the ground is watered daily through a fresh impartation of the Holy Spirit’s rain. The weeds will never totally give up their attempts to regain their territory, but they don’t stand a chance of succeeding now that you are ‘rooted and built up in Christ.’ (Colossians 2:7)

Maybe right now your garden is badly overgrown and you can’t see how the transformation could ever take place. Just remember, your Heavenly Father is the Gardener (see John chapter 15) and He is the One who is working in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.  Ask Him to give you a vision of your garden as it will be once He has done the necessary work and then roll up your sleeves and with an expectant, faith-filled heart declare, ‘Right, where shall we begin?!’