Spring is progressing into full bloom all around us!
Just as God has built progress into the natural seasons of our world, he has built progress into your spiritual life. Can you see it in Jesus’ own words describing believers as branches?
“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 … This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:1,2,8).
Believers progress from “no fruit” to “fruit,” then to “more fruit” and finally “much fruit” (John 15:2,8).
Now, that can excite people, but can also overwhelm people. Do I have what it takes? What will it require of me to step out of my comfort zone and change? Could I really become my better self after feeling like such a failure?
One boy learned to tie his shoes, progressing from his parents doing it for him to doing it himself, and the first time he tied his own shoes, he broke down crying. “Now I’m going to have to tie my own shoes all my life by myself!”
That may be true of shoe tying, but not of Jesus following.
No fruit. Fruit. More fruit. Much fruit. That’s talking about you, as long as you are connected to the Vine.
PRAYER: Jesus, you are the Vine, and I am one of the branches. When I look for spiritual growth and progress in my faith life, attract my attention to focus on you as the true Vine. Help me progress from no fruit, to fruit, to more fruit, and then to much fruit. For our Father’s glory. Amen.
READ MORE: Read John 15:1-8.
