Are you a Gardener? My grandparents were avid gardeners. I would help them with their yard work as a kid mowing their yard (it was fun...grandpa had the old manual mower) while they either worked in the vegetable garden or flower bed. I was always curious as to why I would see them cut off branches, pull off flower heads, and even cut the plants/flowers off at ground level. I'd keep that in the back of my mind through out the winter and excitedly watch as they grew bigger and prettier the next spring.
As I read through John 15:1-17, I can't help notice that 11 times John mentions abiding in Christ or some variation on that...11 TIMES! Abiding in Christ is a lot like my grandparents gardening in the flower bed or vegetable garden. As we abide in Him, we are pruned, much like those roses that my grandmother would prune.
When we are going through challenging situations, when we are going "through the fire," hang in there. The Lord may be pruning you and preparing you for the winter season. But don't worry, when the spring comes, you will grow back healthier than ever and producing so much more fruit! Be encouraged, remember that Jesus said, "I Am the way, the truth, and the life." God bless you richly.
As I read through John 15:1-17, I can't help notice that 11 times John mentions abiding in Christ or some variation on that...11 TIMES! Abiding in Christ is a lot like my grandparents gardening in the flower bed or vegetable garden. As we abide in Him, we are pruned, much like those roses that my grandmother would prune.
When we are going through challenging situations, when we are going "through the fire," hang in there. The Lord may be pruning you and preparing you for the winter season. But don't worry, when the spring comes, you will grow back healthier than ever and producing so much more fruit! Be encouraged, remember that Jesus said, "I Am the way, the truth, and the life." God bless you richly.
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