Spring is here bringing a new season of fresh opportunities. One of the signs of spring is landscaping trucks that go by filled with dead branches, old leaves and yard clippings.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. (John 15:5-6, 8 NLT)
An essential part of our life with God in recovery is recognizing what is harmful and decaying and what is healthy and returning to life after a time of dormancy. Lots of branches on trees and bushes look quite dead next to magnolia trees with their huge blossoms or the plum trees filled with pink and white blossoms. However, given time and proper pruning, those trees and bushes will soon have green leaves and then buds and delicious fruit. Row after row of what now seem like dead bushes will be filled with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries that fill farmers’ markets and our tables.
God wants our lives to be filled with fruitfulness. He has created us with life giving abilities and talents. Sometimes these got lost under the tangled brush and weeds of addiction. Tangled brush and weeds are easily identified but it takes the seasoned eye of a gardener to know what’s alive and healthy and just needs pruning. In our new lives with God in recovery, it takes God’s wisdom to identify what needs to go and what needs protection and nourishment in order that it might be brought back to life.
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. (Colossians 1:6 NLT)
Holy Spirit, sort out dormant branches from dead ones so we can be everything God created us to be today. Amen
©2016 Partners in Hope
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