Stay Attached!
In the book of John chapter fifteen verses one to eight, a short passage, which was entitled "The Vine and the Branches", Jesus tells us another awesome parable in which we can get a great lesson. Let's dive in!
In the first three verses of the chapter, Jesus claims to be the true vine and His Father as the Gardener. Here, Jesus brings us into a garden setting type of story. Jesus as the true vine, God as the Gardener, and us, as the branch. Jesus claiming to be the true vine tells us that in life, it is possible for us to be connected to a vine, just a vine. In a worst-case scenario, it could be that we are connected to the wrong vine/s. What are these vines then? What do these vines that are not true do to us? Well, the vines that we are connected to could be power, fame, and security anchored in our possessions. It could also be our morality, us being relative, not anchoring our lives to the absolute truth.
God as the Gardener or the Vinedresser, [1] cuts off every branch that does not bear fruit and [2] prunes those who bear fruit. There are two types of branches or people that are present here, those who bear fruit and those that do not bear fruit. The first case tells us that we can be connected but we are not bearing fruit. Is that even possible? How does a branch be connected to the Vine and still not bear fruit? Is the branch really connected? On a surface, maybe. But what about a deep sense of connectedness?
Now, on the second case, the type of branch that bears fruits, he prunes. Pruning is defined as the act of cutting down to the desired shape. This process involves physical and internal pain for the branch. Here, we can say that the Gardener does not just let the branch bears fruits. Instead, He allows it to go into a process where the branch may feel hurt, awkward, uncomfortable knowing that it will not only produce much fruit but it will also grow connected way stronger to the vine than it was before.
There was a point in my life where I believed I was connected to God, we're good-my relationship with Him and his people, my family, the church. Yet when something not good will happen, I start to ask God the hows and whys. I don't always understand his ways and will waste time figuring things out alone. Yet I still pray, trusting Him and lifting up to Him the matter. And at the end of every situation, circumstance, and even season, I always find myself in awe of how God works in my heart, mind, soul, and life. You see, God is in the process of pruning and completing us all for His glory.
God's desire is for us to grow in the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. And growth is not an easy process. Growth means to trust in the Father knowing that whatever we are going through right now, He is still in control for allowing it to happen to us. It means time. Time is an important component of God's molding our character. It is where our character will be put on a test or so. Lastly, growth means pain. No one wants pain. But just like what C.S Lewis said, "Pain is the megaphone of God. .". Pain has a way of getting our attention. It is in our pain where God can work in and through us the most, pruning and completing us. But the challenge is on us. How do we view pain? Do we view it as God's punishment? or do we view it as a blessing and avenue for us to grow more?
Even if it is the result of our poor decisions and disobedience or someone close to us has inflicted pain on us, our pain has a purpose. At the end of the day, each of us is given a choice. The choice we make can either break us or make us.
In every trial or challenge we face, God would want us to stay attached to Him and His Word no matter what, enduring to the very end. Only when we choose to endure and stay attached to Him do we know and experience joy unspeakable and blessings overflowing.
