Part 3: Planting

19 Jul Part 3: Planting

Today we’re just going to jump right into the third part of our series, Seed Upgraders and talk about PLANTING.

Horticulturists say that to reach the full potential of your plant, you need to follow these five important steps:

1.    PREPARE THE PROPER PLANTING HOLE.

When preparing for planting, make the hole (or area) two to three times wider than the current root mass. 

This means that you cannot put restrictions on your growth. We tend to do this based on our trauma, lack of exposure and/or our environments. Have you ever heard someone say, “You can’t dream, what you haven’t seen”? I read once, that our parents and ancestors all thought with some type of boundary and some of us inherited those patterns of thinking.

We must begin to think (and speak) of yourself in totally different dimensions.  “(insert your name)…running my own business?”  “(insert your name)……being featured in O magazine?”  “(insert your name)……running a half marathon?”  “(insert your name)……writing a book?”  “(insert your name)……finding a spouse?”

Remember, we are more valuable than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31) and he has given us dominion over all sheep and oxen and all beasts of the field and birds of the heavens and fish of the sea (Psalm 8:6–8; Genesis 1:26, 28).

2.   INSPECT THE ROOTS AND DISTURB WHEN NECESSARY.

Once the plant is out of its container, look at the roots. If they are densely bound in a circular pattern or have started growing in the shape of the container, break up the pattern.

It’s more important to stop this pattern now than worry about hurting the roots. The biggest mistake you can make at this point is to place a root-bound plant into good soil. It won’t grow! 

As we enter seasons of sowing and planting, we must evaluate the condition of our hearts. If habits, behaviors and incorrect thinking go unattended for long periods of time, they can become deeply rooted and harder to deal with. If they’re not dealt with then we become the generation that passes on limitation, pain and poor thinking. The quicker you can detect a wrong heart condition and get it straightened out, the better off we will be.

Colossians 2:7 says “Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life.”

3.    ELIMINATE AIR POCKETS.

Be sure to lightly compress or hand-pack the soil around the plant roots to ensure good soil to root contact.

Ya’ll, this means don’t allow room for the “mess”!

When I say “mess”, I mean vices, people, television, music, and food. The list is endless!

In a blog post, Pastor Larry Stockstill said, that “your greatest battle is often your friends and when their negative mindset tries to limit yours”. Jesus’ brothers were always negative about His career.  Peter tried to stop Christ from His mission.  Be careful of the people and things that you are giving access to your mind.

One habit that ultra-successful people have in common is that they read. Like a lot! But successful people don’t just read anything. They are highly selective about what they read and opt to pour information into themselves over entertainment.

4.    ADD MULCH.

Place about three inches of organic matter such as shredded leaves, or ground bark or wood mulch around the plant. Mulch helps retain much-needed moisture and helps keep roots cooler.

In Proverbs 4:23-27 Solomon says to “guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life…. do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” The word ‘evil’ tells me that we are at war with a wicked force.  This force knows that our hearts are the most important leadership tool that we have and if affected, it could limit the abundance in your life.

I hope it doesn’t sound cliché’ at this point, but you have to study the word of God.  The enemy will attack you where you are weak. When this happens, the Word needs to be deep down on the inside of you.

5.     KEEP WATERING.

The most important job you will have after planting is to keep plants and trees well-watered until established. This can take weeks to months or even years!

Woman of Judah, now, we wait.

Leave your plant covered (in the Word and your faith), and let God grow it in his time.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (NLT).