Starting an orchard has been on the agenda this week. Planting blackberry bushes, blueberry bushes, muscadine vines, and plum trees have taken much labor, but a labor of love for this optimistic gardener. Carefully, placing the roots in the hole, fertilizing, then covering it with soil will help the plant grow and produce its fruit.
Connection Broken
As I was planting one of the muscadine vines, I noticed the tip was beginning to wilt. Thinking it was too dry, I gave it extra water. Later, I looked again. It seemed to be worse, not better. Upon further examination, I found a place on the vine that was damaged. The vine was not able to get the nutrients it needed to grow and produce fruit.
Connect to the Body
It reminded me of our walk with the Lord. If we stay connected to the body, we will continue to grow and bear fruit. If we neglect our time with Him, then we will begin to ‘wilt’ like the branch. We must remain in the body.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
John 15:4 ESV
Remain in Christ
The branch could not bear fruit or maintain its strength without the vine. The same is true for Christians. We can not be the bearer of good fruit without remaining in Jesus Christ.
Abide in Christ
Why should we abide in Christ? Abide means to be rooted in Him by the Spirit we have received from Him. John 15:7 tells us our prayers are effective, verse 8 says we glorify God in our fruit-bearing, and verse 11 tells us that our joy becomes full through experiencing God’s own fullness.
“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
John 15:6 ESV
Thrown Away
As the vinedresser of my garden, I cut off the branch and threw it away. It would never be able to bear fruit or flourish on its own. It was basically useless. Jesus says if we do not abide in Him, we will be thrown away and wither. There will be no fruit to bear. Our life will be useless to the kingdom of God.
Stay Connected and Be Fruitful
Once again I am reminded of the need to remain faithful to God. Nature is an excellent teacher.
Jesus uses nature often in His teachings in scripture. Stay in the Word of God and be fruitful.
In The Garden by Selah https://youtu.be/j82xazAEhYQ
Paula Wallace
