“I am the true vine,
and My Father is the vinedresser. Every
branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that
bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2)
Image courtesy of tcpermaculture.com
As Christians, we are expected to positively impact others, leave things better than we found them, make a difference. Or, as expressed through the common metaphor of scripture, we are to show ourselves to be "fruitful" -- "for a tree is known by its fruit" (Matthew 12:33).
OK, that concept makes sense. Make a difference. Be fruitful. Got it.
But in order to make a difference, we actually have to daily wade into the world, with all its problems and schemes. In order to positively impact others, we need to engage in their affairs, dysfunctional as they may often be. In order to leave things better than we found them, we regularly have to deeply invest of ourselves, for token efforts simply won't do. But in deep investment, we expose ourselves in ways that, frankly, may leave marks. For in working to change things, improve conditions, and help others, the world is likely to push back -- and often with a vengeance! Forces collide, claws come out, and we can feel bruised, battered, crestfallen, or even indignant in the process, for all our well-intended efforts.
In such times, we may feel tempted to bemoan our own sufferings and trials. I was only trying to help. So why does it now seem like I'm the one suffering? That's not fair.
But today's scripture from John reminds us that doing good for others despite personal suffering is the way of the Christian. And it was the choice Christ made for us as well. Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. Like branches from the vine, our fruitfulness comes from our source. But in efforts to expand the fruitful influence of our lives on others, we should expect numerous trials and personal sufferings (i.e., pruning) along the way. It's the way of God's vineyard. Through such pruning, we are cut back again and again, essentially recreated over time into a better form of ourselves -- one more befitting of the fruitful vine from where we originate.
So next time you feel like complaining because of some burden faced in helping others, remind yourself that this is a signal that you, a faithful servant, are being pruned -- so that you may grow through suffering to make even more of a difference -- be even more fruitful -- for a world in dire need of it.
___________________________________________________
Dear Lord,
Thank you for placing me in Your vineyard. Make me fruitful. Thank you for the loving hand that You bring to my growth and development. Help me to understand and accept your regular pruning that makes me more pleasing to Your eye and more fruitful to the harvest in Your vineyard. Into Your Almighty and loving hands, I place my faith and trust.
Amen.
As Christians, we are expected to positively impact others, leave things better than we found them, make a difference. Or, as expressed through the common metaphor of scripture, we are to show ourselves to be "fruitful" -- "for a tree is known by its fruit" (Matthew 12:33).
OK, that concept makes sense. Make a difference. Be fruitful. Got it.
But in order to make a difference, we actually have to daily wade into the world, with all its problems and schemes. In order to positively impact others, we need to engage in their affairs, dysfunctional as they may often be. In order to leave things better than we found them, we regularly have to deeply invest of ourselves, for token efforts simply won't do. But in deep investment, we expose ourselves in ways that, frankly, may leave marks. For in working to change things, improve conditions, and help others, the world is likely to push back -- and often with a vengeance! Forces collide, claws come out, and we can feel bruised, battered, crestfallen, or even indignant in the process, for all our well-intended efforts.
In such times, we may feel tempted to bemoan our own sufferings and trials. I was only trying to help. So why does it now seem like I'm the one suffering? That's not fair.
But today's scripture from John reminds us that doing good for others despite personal suffering is the way of the Christian. And it was the choice Christ made for us as well. Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. Like branches from the vine, our fruitfulness comes from our source. But in efforts to expand the fruitful influence of our lives on others, we should expect numerous trials and personal sufferings (i.e., pruning) along the way. It's the way of God's vineyard. Through such pruning, we are cut back again and again, essentially recreated over time into a better form of ourselves -- one more befitting of the fruitful vine from where we originate.
So next time you feel like complaining because of some burden faced in helping others, remind yourself that this is a signal that you, a faithful servant, are being pruned -- so that you may grow through suffering to make even more of a difference -- be even more fruitful -- for a world in dire need of it.
___________________________________________________
Dear Lord,
Thank you for placing me in Your vineyard. Make me fruitful. Thank you for the loving hand that You bring to my growth and development. Help me to understand and accept your regular pruning that makes me more pleasing to Your eye and more fruitful to the harvest in Your vineyard. Into Your Almighty and loving hands, I place my faith and trust.
Amen.
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