I watched my wife working in the garden recently, dedicated to the task. “What are you doing?” I asked as she pulled handfuls of plants and tossed them into a pile. “It’s the dead grass and foliage,” she replied. “If I don’t pull this up, the new growth won’t come through.” It seemed strange to remove plants to make way for more plants, but it’s necessary for new life to flourish. The same applies to our lives. What is hindering the growth of God’s divine fruits—love, joy, peace, and patience? Is it an addiction to social media? The pursuit of career and wealth? Fear and worry? All of these are “dead grass.” The divine gardener knows this. Jesus said, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more” (John 15:1-2). He may remove things in our lives that we wanted, but He only does it so that real, fruitful growth can take place. Today, consider what is hindering your relationship with God and ask Him to help you remove it so you can truly flourish. Open Bible – http://bit.ly/Joh15v1-2 (Craig B)
