«He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more» (John 15:2, NLT).
Sometimes it seems like the more we focus on abiding in God, the worse we do. Picture this: you are late for work; traffic is moving at a lame turtle’s pace; your kids, whom you still have to take to school, are sitting in the back seat, fighting over an orange juice pouch. You ask them to quiet down several times, trying to be patient, because you really want to abide in Christ. However, they keep on fighting over the juice pouch, snatching it from each other’s hands, until the pouch bursts and splashes juice everywhere. Now you are the one who bursts! You scold them using words that are stronger than the ones you should use. Right away, as soon as the words leave your mouth, you feel guilty and like a failure. What is going on? Does abiding in Christ not work?
When Jesus compared us to vine branches, He made a comment about pruning that we usually overlook. The branches that bear fruit are pruned by the gardener so they will bear even more fruit. Your reaction during the orange juice fight does not imply Christ is not with you. It actually provides a chance to be «pruned» and produce more fruit. Imagine yourself at the wheel again, in the midst of this sticky mess. However this time, instead of accepting self-defeating thoughts whispered by the enemy, you ask God what He is pruning in your heart. God might inspire you to apologize to your kids for your impatience. And it is very likely that your example, in taking responsibilities for your mistakes and asking for forgiveness, will have a greater impact than a hundred sermons on that topic. Do you see? Pruning produced fruit.
Only the branches that bear fruit are pruned! Dry and dead branches, the ones that are not connected to the Vine and do not want to be reinserted into it, are taken out and burned. When you make mistakes, when you trip, when you fall, go to the Gardener and ask Him: «What are you pruning in me today?»
Father, I praise You because You are faithful in finishing the work You began in me. You never abandon me! As long as I abide in You, You will clean me so that I will bear more fruit for Your glory.
#WomensDevotional
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
