He is the gardener

"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."  John 15:2

Wow, yesterday was such a beautiful day.  After a long and cold winter, the sunshine and warmth was a blessing. With new growth sprouting out on the branches of the trees and bushes, it was sadly evident, as I finished my run and examined my yard that most of my rose bushes did not survive the extreme cold of last winter. And the ones that did would most likely need to be trimmed almost completely to the root. You see if the dead branches are left on, they will choke out the living part and either the bush will die or it will not produce much fruit - in this case roses.

I thought about the way God works in our lives, pruning, cutting and shaping us into the creation He made us to be - cutting "off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." You see, God deals with us the same way a gardener tends to his grape vines. Anything that does not contribute to our growth and the purpose He made us for is removed (sin, pride, conceit, addiction, selfish ambition). This sounds painful, and at times it is. Sometimes it may even look as if the plant is dead (I can relate to that). But as extreme as this seems, the ultimate result is when the growing season returns, the branches put out more and better fruit than before. We are better for the experience!

Staying close to Christ then, like a branch attached to the vine, is the only way we will grow my friend. When we produce fruit, He is glorified. Just as He sends the rain and sunshine to make the vine grow, He gives us all we need to grow and blossom too!  

Heavenly Father, thank you for helping us to grow in You.  I pray that we produce fruit as you intended us to as we stay firmly planted in your Word and attached to you as a branch to the vine. Help us to grow strong and bring You glory through it.  In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.  

Happy Running!!!

r