There’s something about spring that makes me want to go directly to the nearest Home Depot and buy every plant I see.

I envision an Eden-like garden in front of my house, overflowing with fragrant flowers and trailing vines. Inside the house, I imagine having a jungle of tropical plants. In April of 2020, I finally acted on my longtime dream and bought a small, seemingly hardy succulent. Within a few days, I realized how much work went into keeping my new plant happy and healthy. Too much water? My plant began to die. Too little? My plant also began to die. A few cloudy days in a row with no sun? Again, my plant began to die.

Before too long, I learned that a good deal of work went into helping my plant grow and thrive.

Our spiritual lives can be just like my little succulent. We need to be rooted and grounded in God’s Word and filled with the Holy Spirit to grow. Thankfully, God is a good and skillful gardener who promises to bless us when we trust in him:

“But I will bless the person
who puts his trust in me.
He is like a tree growing near a stream
and sending out roots to the water.
It is not afraid when hot weather comes,
because its leaves stay green;
it has no worries when there is no rain;
it keeps on bearing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (GNT)

As spring arrives and you see beautiful flowers blooming all around you, you can find inspiration for your own spiritual growth in these six verses from Scripture.

See Scripture as the ultimate resource to help you grow and thrive in your spiritual life.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (GNT)

Remember that, just like plants need water to grow, your heart needs Scripture to live!

Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’”

Matthew 4:4 (GNT)

Plant God’s Word in your heart and follow God’s law to grow in faith and glorify God.

I keep your law in my heart,
so that I will not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 (GNT)

As you grow in God’s Word, you will see the fruit of good deeds in your life.

We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. Then you will be able to live as the Lord wants and will always do what pleases him. Your lives will produce all kinds of good deeds, and you will grow in your knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:9b-10 (GNT)

Remember that God promises to complete the work that he began in your heart.

And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 (GNT)

Your growth in God’s Word is a lifelong journey; remember to rely on Jesus Christ for daily strength!

But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.

2 Peter 3:18 (GNT)