Think of a master gardener preparing a neglected plot of land for spring planting. They don't just throw delicate flower seeds directly onto hard-packed soil choked with deep weeds and jagged rocks. First, they must pull up the weeds by the roots, dig out the heavy stones, and break up the hardened ground so the soil becomes soft and receptive to new growth. We often try to patch up our lives with superficial fixes while holding onto our old defects of character. But real, lasting transformation requires a willingness to let God clear the garden bed of our hearts. Being entirely ready means putting down our stubborn defenses, admitting that our bad habits and coping mechanisms no longer serve us, and asking God to create something entirely new within us. | 
