March 6, 2014

Written by Amber Tafao

Spring is the most beautiful time of year, especially in Central Texas. Indian paintbrushes, bluebonnets, and beautiful weather suddenly “spring” up seemingly overnight to paint the land in a myriad of fantastic colors. Spring has always represented a time of newborn creation, a fresh start, and the chance to prune and grow even fuller than the year before. 

John 15:1-4 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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.” 

Take hope in the fact that you are already clean and be mindful of the fact that he prunes in order that you may be even more fruitful. Cutting away is a painful process but entirely necessary as well. Allow Him to cut away those fleshly desires to which you cling. Jesus is the true vine. Remain in Him. Grow in Him. Allow the Gardener to cut away that you may bring forth abundant new fruit in His time.