One of my favourite passages in the bible is from John 15 in the bible, about the vine and the branches. It relates to Jesus being the vine and us remaining vitally connected to Him like a branch so that all His power, goodness and the essence of who He is can flow freely into our lives – like a branch connected to the vine.
Part of this passage talks about the fruitful and unfruitful branch and how the unfruitful branch is “taken away” whereas the fruitful branch is pruned so that it can produce more fruit. However on further investigation this week I discovered that the words “taken away” don’t necessarily mean that when we are unproductive in an area of our lives God (the gardener) is instantly displeased and content to cast us aside or discount that part of our lives.
A better translation of what Jesus taught is that when we are unfruitful in an area or experiencing a season in our life where we are feeling like nothing is happening, that God doesn’t “cut us down” or forget about us, but as a lovely Father He “lifts and props” us up and carefully tends to us until we do become fruitful. Just like a gardener lifts a branch up to the sun and fresh air that has fallen down onto the ground where insects and moss can cause it to become weakened, our loving Heavenly Father also picks us up, cleans off our wounds and tends to us until we become fruitful under His patient and loving care.
It’s also important to remember that God is never, it seems in a hurry. Where we would be tempted to pull up and cast aside an unproductive tree or plant after an extended period of time of fruitlessness God is faithful to perfect that which He has started in us no matter how long it takes. We are His masterpiece and He never ever gives up on us, even when others or we give up on ourselves.
Some parts of our lives may have been squashed down or beaten about but that doesn’t mean we will never see anything good happen in or through our lives. Wherever we have seen loss, disappointment, limitations, or feel robbed from in an area God says, “don’t give up, just draw near to me”, for He is the great restorer of broken hopes and dreams and His plans for us are always good.
Today instead of discounting yourself or giving up allow God to lift you up and to strengthen you in the light of His power and love. You were created to have a fruitful amazing life and when you remain connected to Him He becomes your power source where all things become possible.
He promises that He will complete that which He started in us, and when He says something He will use all of heaven’s power and resources to bring it to pass.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns”(Philippians 1:6 NLT)
Don’t give up on yourself today even if you feel unproductive or forgotten about. Allow God to lift and prop you up and trust in His loving kindness and goodness to cause amazing “fruit” to be produced in your life.
“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father.He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruningevery fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. The words I have spoken over you have already cleansedyou. So you must remain in life-union with me,for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. “I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you.” (John 15:1-5)
Prayer: Lord I put my trust in your loving care today and trust that you will lift me up and to help bring out the best in me in every area of my life. In Jesus name Amen.