This year is my second year of gardening. I do not have
a green thumb in the slightest, where as my grandma and grandpa were exquisite gardeners. I have learned so much this year by just plowing in, along with
some advice from experienced gardeners, and lots and lots of prayers. That is
how my garden grows, not with silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids
all in a row - but with prayer. Through that, God has taught me more about life
than I ever thought would be revealed, as we planted the little patch months
earlier. Jesus' parables about seeds and gardening became clearer as the plants
grew in front of me.
I started some of the plants I started from seeds. It
really was an experiment and I did not think that they would grow but God
proved me wrong. The tomato seeds became the biggest plant in the garden and
started taking up precious patio space. Despite their big garden presence, they
lacked tomatoes. One tomato was harvested and another had begun growing but
that was it from them. While watering one day, God revealed this truth: people may have a big influence on others
or hold a high position, yet are not bearing fruit.
You were chosen. Jesus picked you out
for a purpose and has appointed you to bear fruit - fruit that will last for
eternity, not the temporal. You have an influence on people around you, whether
you like it or not. Whether it is for better or for worse. You have an
influence on your husband, friends, children, neighbors, co-works, the barista
at Starbucks. People notice you. Perhaps for your fruit. Perhaps for your lack
of it.
I am the true vine, and my Father 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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15: 1-4
God has appointed you so that you can
grow in him and from your growth and overflow of fruit, others will come to
know him. You cannot produce fruit without first being centered in Christ. You have to be constantly in his word and
growing in your personal relationship with him before you can bear fruit. You
can do nothing apart from God or your fruit will be just that - lacking God.
Perhaps you find yourself in this
situation now - feeling farther from God than you have ever before. I pray that
you do not grow weary of doing good (Galations 6:9) but that you would take
time to actively seek God and his direction. Perhaps you have sewn all the
fruit in this chapter of ministry or particular friendships or jobs and he has
something entirely different in store for you. Perhaps you need a refresher of
being still and knowing he is God (Psalm 46:10). I pray that you would listen to
his leading and see what other adventure he has planned for you.
I pray that your soul would be
renewed and anything in you that is not producing fruit would be transformed. I
pray that you be refreshed and open to receiving God's guidance and come alive.
Fall Afresh by Bethel Music seems to
fit perfectly here. Have a listen.
spirit of the living god come fall afresh on me, awake me from my sleep.Here's to realizing your influence and bearing fruit. Here's to pruning and growing.