"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:3-6).

     Our Master Gardener had a plan before the foundation of the world.  He would make a beautiful garden for Himself, and put in it all that was beautiful and pleasant to His eyes, giving Him great delight.

     He chose His plants from every nation, of every color, every size, and every kind (Rom. 1:5).  He decided what place they would have in His garden and the work that they were to do (Eph. 4:11-13).  Some were given special jobs as those listed in Ephesians, but all were, and are, given the work of making His garden beautiful and trying to influence others to come and live in His garden also (Matt. 28:19-20, I Pet. 1:15-16).  

     May we see this as a special privilege given to us, for surely it is. We are laborers together with God.  One plants and another waters, but it is God, only, that can give the increase (I Cor 3:6-9).

     Let us be eager to go out into this wilderness and find some of the Lord's plants, praying that the Holy Spirit will make it a fruitful field (Isa. 32:15).  We are to sow the seed (the word of God) everywhere we are, and everywhere we go. If we do this, the Lord has promised to bless us so greatly that the "corn" shall come up so thickly that He shall have to turn even the ox and ass into it to eat the tops off it to keep it under control (Isa. 32:20). 

     Oh Lord, we are poor and needy.  Open rivers and fountains for us; make this wilderness a pool of water, and plant your trees to the glory of your name (Isa. 41:17-20).

     May we, as workers together with You, not receive the grace of God in vain (II Cor. 6:1).