Some people can’t resist buying clothes or the latest gadget when they visit the shops, but I can’t resist buying plants. I love adding them to my garden, nurturing them, and watching them grow into their full beauty. One of my first purchases for our new garden was an olive tree. It survived the harshest winter, but then, in an instant, it was cut off at the roots by someone planting grass. I was devastated. Jesus tells us in John 15:1-2, “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.” God desires for all His creation to thrive. He offers us Jesus, the living water, and the light of righteousness to sustain and nurture us. But sometimes, we cut ourselves off from His provision, rejecting His life-giving presence. I can only imagine how much sadness God must feel when He sees His children not reaching their full potential. Let’s commit to allowing Jesus to work powerfully in us. Let’s embrace God’s pruning, trusting that He is shaping us to bear even more fruit. The joy our Father feels when we grow into everything He created us to be is beyond measure. Open Bible – https://bit.ly/Joh15v1-2 (Nicky B)
