Abide - Meditation # 3 on John 15

Meditation #3 on John 15

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” 

John 15:1-2 ESV

 

The vinedresser - The Father - is so committed to my ability to fulfill my role as a fruit bearing branch, that He continually walks through my life, searching, examining and considering me.

This could be an uncomfortable thought.  I’m not too keen on the idea of someone searching my life, rifling through my actions, words, thoughts and intentions.  I’ll share what I want to share thank-you-very-much!  Funny how in a Facebook saturated culture, we’re all about sharing… but really,… we’re all about sharing what we want others to see or think of us. 

And that’s all.

The vinedresser knows me best.  He planted me & He knows my true purpose. 

I am a branch.

He created me to grow fruit.

Not to grow turnips.  Or carrots.

He planted me to be a branch in a vineyard.

Not to be a bird in the air or a fish in the sea.

Because He knows what He’s doing, He is intentional. 

He scrutinizes with loving eyes and gentle hands and if I can just realize this - believe this - I don’t have to fear His gaze or jump at His touch.  

I have no basis for resentment or offense.

In fact if I let the beauty of this seep into my core, I am filled with gratitude because I realize He knows what will give me the greatest fruit and fulfillment.  He knows what can steal joy.  He knows what is stunting growth.  He knows what distracts me, like twisting little tendrils that grab onto anything within reach, and pull me into frustration. 

Shouldn’t I trust Him?  It’s just fundamental, isn’t it?  When I trust the vinedresser and welcome His probing walk through my life, I have a peace that is solidly based on His loving intentions.

He is looking at:

What has grown too long and gangly.

What is alive and what is dead.

What is healthy and what is diseased.

What benefits and what robs.

Where is there fruit? Or suckers?

Even branches with fruit must be pruned sometimes, for more fruit.

Do i like the idea of being cut?  Not really.  Pruning doesn’t sound any more fun than being scrutinized.  

So again, I look at Who my vinedresser is.

A good and loving Father.

And based on Who He is, I choose to trust and submit to His hand.