God Makes Gardens in the Desert

God makes Gardens in Deserts?

I don’t know about you, but there are deserts in my life. Some more evident than others. It seems like no matter how hard I try or how much I plant, no garden ever shows up.

 I’m not sure what the deserts are in your heart, but…

Actual Photo taken outside of Jerusalem on my last trip to Israel. 

A couple months ago I had the opportunity to go to Israel with Israel Collective. I recall our guide mentioned how fruitful the nation of Israel is, in terms of actual fruit. I was taken back because of how dry Israel was. I am not exaggerating, it's a desert. 

“Agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry: Israel is a major exporter of fresh produce and a world-leader in agricultural technologies despite the fact that the geography of Israel is not naturally conducive to agriculture. More than half of the land area is desert, and the climate and lack of water resources do not favor farming. Only 20% of the land area is naturally arable. Israel produced 95% of its own food requirements, supplementing this with imports of grain, oilseeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar.” - Wikipedia

Since God really does make Gardens in Deserts what does that mean for you and me? Yeah it sounds cool, but how does that really apply to us?

That Garden in the desert doesn’t have to be fruit. God can give us a spring of peace in the midst of our greatest pain. He can give us joy in the middle of the most unpredictable loss imaginable. God can give us our greatest opportunities for redemption through our biggest mistakes. He gives strength in struggle and even hope in regret. God does not need good circumstances, the desert works fine. God makes gardens in deserts.

Keep planting.