Over the last few weeks, we have seen a lot of celebrations as students are completing their journey of high school. As a parent of one of those graduates, I begin to reflect as a parent on my daughter’s journey. As she moves on to the next chapter I begin to look back at how God has prepared her for this next step. In my reflections, God placed John 15:1-4 in my path this week. It was a beautiful reminder that as we raise our children we have to be reminded to let God remove those things in their lives that do not bear fruit. Many times as a parent we want to make sure that our children continue in one area of life, but as they grow and surrender themselves to God we have to recognize that God is doing the work in them not us.
Today I ask that you reflect on these two versions of scripture and look back on your own life and be reminded of what God has removed and what he has left to continue to grow. I ask that if you have a friend, family member, or even your child that you so desperately want to “fix things” for that you step back and let God do the pruning in their lives. I am not suggesting removing yourself as support but continue in prayer and support as God does some amazing changes in their lives.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
John 15: 1-4 NIV
1-3 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.
4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.” John 15:1-4 The Message
In Christ,
Pastor Hope Terhaar