I love gardening. Every step of the process brings me joy.
It’s pruning season now, and I enjoy cutting the dead parts off each shrub or flower because I can envision how it will make it stronger and more fruitful during the blooming period this year. As I pruned each plant, it took me back to my childhood because my dad always came up with the coolest biblical analogies to give the mundane tasks we were completing a greater purpose.
It prompted me to study John 15 in my quiet time. This chapter talks about “abiding in the vine.” The vine is a picture of Christ, and as the branches we must stay connected to Him. He is the One that gives us our strength.
You might ask, “How do I stay connected to Christ?” The same way you stay connected to those friends and family members you love.
You spend time with them.
You talk to them.
You learn about them.
You share your heart with them — the difficult and beautiful.
When we are spending time with the Lord, our lives will bear fruit of it, and God will continue to prune to help us become more fruitful. John 15:2 says, “Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
When I looked up the definition of purge, it means “to cleanse from impurity.”
You see, God’s Word has a purifying effect on our hearts. (See Ephesians 5:26.) It shines a light on what we need to grow and change in. I am challenged once again to spend more time reading, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture because I want my life to produce fruit that will last for eternity. While I ponder these thoughts, I’m going to get back to gardening and reminiscing on my childhood memories. Be encouraged to abide in Christ each day.
Be encouraged.
Erin
