The words in John 15:1-11 have been special to me for a long time. The page they are on in my Bible is a "well-worn" page. They are the type of words that jump out at me nearly every time I read them.
Verse 2 has been especially important to me, through recent trials. "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."
He purgeth it.
What does that look like? It certainly would not "feel" pleasant! But it is for the good of that branch, and it is to the glory of God. (See verse 8.)
Another striking thing about this verse is the "alternative". The first part of the verse is almost shocking. Every branch that doesn't bear fruit the Father is going to take away? I don't know what "take away" means, but it is clear to see that the "alternative" to being cared for and loved by the Father (v. 10), though it includes this "pruning", is to be taken away!
Whatever the "taken away" means, I sure see the value of living safe under the Father's care! This "pruning" looks good, compared to the alternitave! (And there was no other option listed here.)
Now, the other thing about this verse, is that God has been pointing to it, whispering to me that this is MY life. It may "seem" hard to have all of these struggles in life, on every side, but He is "purging" me through them.
Ah, this is a good thing.
In recent years, I have had a long-standing "trial". In the last couple of years, things have gotten a lot harder. In recent months, it has escalated even more! I have been learning so much through all of these things. (I could call it "all of this 'pruning'"!)
Fast forward to the last week. A new sort of "trial" has fallen across my path. I am sick.
Does God's Word, and all of the truths from it that I have been learning so well in my other trials apply to something like this?
Usually a very healthy person, my body has been overtaken by something called "vertigo". Having 6 children to care for is somewhat incompatible with this. I can't function well. I spent 2 days barely able to sit. Moving around the house is a challenge. I usually have to lay down and "recover" after 15 minutes of standing, or after 2 lessons of homeschooling. Normal activity is absolutely out of the question!
I found myself getting discouraged a few days in to this, because of not being able to "function" and "accomplish" what I felt "needed" to get done.
Does God's Word still apply?
Am I still "okay" because of Christ, even when I'm stuck in bed for more hours than I am used to? Can it be possible for life to go on when I can't even get through each day of school?
I have found that the answer is YES. It is all still okay, even though life as I knew it, once again, has ground to a hault. The reason lies partly in this second verse of John chapter 15. "Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." I don't need to know the reasons, and I don't need to see the outcome in this. God is working in me, and He has good reasons for bringing me down this path of sickness. It has been 9 days and the vertigo has not lifted. I may be sick for 4 weeks (or more!) But that is okay. He knows. He is "pruning" me.
Verse 8 is all the more exciting, in light of all of this: "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
Though I am weak and sick, I would rather "abide in Him" (v. 4) than be any other place.
Use me, Lord, as you wish, and be glorified! "Prune" away. Thank you for Your care and love.
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