Be Fruitful

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” – John 15:5

Whether it is asking for directions or asking for help to meet this month’s overwhelming bills, the human spirit by nature is a prideful one.  I’ve always struggled with this problem and I’m sure many of you do as well.  Why is it that we are willing to bend over backward and help those around us, but most times unwilling to accept help when we are in need?  Pride, embarrassment, and arrogance continue to drive a wedge between receiving God’s ultimate love and salvation and continuing to struggle in life’s daily challenges.

I remember once when we were on vacation, and decided to go for a hike along a river in Tennessee.  An hour into the 3-hour hike, up a 200-foot rocky pathway, Emma, then 3 years old would not give up.  It seemed as though every step she took on the worn path over the smooth stones her foot would slip and she would slide back.  Multiple times Lisa offered to carry her, but consistently the answer was the same, “I can do it myself”.  Her little fingers would grip the stone crevice and her little feet search for something to stand on, as the rest of us easily maneuvered over the rocky terrain.  Eventually, Emma and Lisa made it to the top where the rest of us had been resting and taking in the view from the highest point along the river’s edge.  They were able to get a sip of water and take a quick look over the edge before we had to begin the trek back down again.

Very much like Emma, at age 3, we all have so much confidence in our own ability and are unwilling to truly allow ourselves to rely on another, namely God, to see us through.  In doing so, we miss the wonderful views He has prepared for us.  Oh sure, we may get to the same destination that God had planned for us, but along the way, we will experience struggles, cuts, scrapes and many episodes of back-sliding.  God is not going to force Himself upon you though.  What you can do, is simply ask Him to help you, and then trust that He will.  Giving it to God and accepting the help that He is trying to give us makes the journey so much more worthwhile and spectacular.  There is no promise that it will be easy because there are moments of strengthening and growth that come from living a life for the Lord, but it will be more fruitful in His kingdom when you are done.

We are 5 weeks into the New Year.  How ripe is your fruit this year?  Remember, Jesus is the vine, we are the branches.  If we stay close to Him, our fruit will grow naturally.  It’s when we try to force something outside of our strengths and gifts that we struggle.  Now is a great time to focus on where God is leading you, what fruit should you bear.  Search your heart, break down the walls that you have built to keep God out and allow Him into those dark corners.  Then let His presence and wisdom flow through you to help you get the most from your life.  Remain confident and strong knowing that through God all things are possible and yet nothing of God is possible without His presence.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are an awesome God and we lift our hands to celebrate Your love for us.  Through Your grace and mercy, You have provided a path of salvation for each of us.  You have given us Your Holy Spirit to walk with us in every decision we make throughout the day if we would only ask for His help.  Help us to bury our selfish pride and arrogance and be willing to reach out to You for help in our life.  In Your name we pray – Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts