Who doesn’t love, or admire, beautifully manicured lawns and lush landscaping, bursting with vibrantly colored fauna? Have you ever stopped to think what it requires to accomplish such spectacular results? Perhaps, you, like many others, maintain such an achievement in even the most sweltering temperatures. On the other hand, some individuals struggle with remembering to water their precious foliage, causing them to simply wither and, eventually, die. Why bring up this juxtaposition of scenarios? After all, what does landscaping have to do with a life of faith? Well, the roots of this metaphor are based upon Scripture. Join me as we examine how to unearth everlasting hope and life amid the ruins (in whatever forms they present).
A Personal Pruning Story
If you have read my previous posts, you know I am known as having a black thumb, which is not good when it comes to landscaping or gardening. Unfortunately, I earned this unflattering title over the course of many years. Why? Honestly, it is not from a lack of care because I do appreciate beautiful flowers. The real reason is I have simply allowed life’s distractions to impact my follow through. Does this sound familiar?
At the end of June, my family took a weeklong vacation. My intention was to set up watering bulbs in each of my flower planters. Unfortunately, the litany of other tasks clouded my focus, and I only remembered after we had left home. Considering the sweltering heat of summer, what do you suppose I found upon my return? You guessed it! Two shriveled plants where beautiful, lush purple flowers once bloomed.
At the initial sight of dried plants, someone in my house made the decision to discard them as part of the weekly garbage collection. However, those who know me realize I absolutely adore purple and believe everyone (and everything) deserves a second chance! Therefore, upon closer inspection, I noticed several branches of the plants’ vines still looked green. Life! That is a sign of life!
Since all things deserve a chance, I quickly and meticulously began to prune my precious plants. As I set about this task, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Jesus’s message to His disciples about the vine and the branches.
The Vine and the Branches
on Pexels.com
“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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15: 1-5 (NIV)
Connecting to Scripture
Ruins Can Result from Droughts in Life
Similar to when I was distracted and forgot to set up a watering system for my plants before leaving town, people allow life’s invariable distractions to draw their focus away from keeping their eyes on the Father. When this happens, droughts occur. For example, when praying takes a backseat to other events, a drought in one’s closeness with God begins to form. When an individual allows what others think to overshadow what the Creator says about them, a drought in their sense of self-worth begins to emerge. The more time passes, the more droughts can evolve into ruins. However, what if there were a way to unearth a sense of hope and life amid the ruins in one’s life?
From Droughts to Everlasting Hope and Life
Well, there is good news! Everlasting hope and life can be found amid the ruins! How? Well, just like my pruning story and Jesus’s message, when we remove the things in our lives (like dried-up plant parts) which are not bearing fruit and, instead, redirect our focus to Him, He will help us find hope and new life. Even more so, remember Jesus tells us, “… No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4, NIV). Did you catch that? Essentially, Jesus guarantees we will bear fruit, and He will help us to do that. The key is to remain in Him. He’s got you!
Jesus Will Help You Bear Fruit
No one must do life alone. When your life feels as if it is in ruins, you can do something about it. Seek God first and foremost through prayer and reading His Word. However, when difficult times present themselves (as they sometimes do), there is no need to feel as if you are barely scraping by because Jesus promises you will not be alone to face such moments.
As a matter of fact, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-the Spirit of Truth” (John 14:15-17, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). So, you see, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus continues helping you bear fruit, even during bleak times when you don’t think you can! Most importantly, through God’s blessing, Jesus gives you the Advocate forever!
The Rest of the Story
After carefully pruning my precious plants and watering them regularly, new flowers began blooming. The same vibrant purple, which drew me in originally, was back! In fact, during a routine watering session, I was blessed to witness how these beautiful flowers were beginning to bear their own fruit by inviting a butterfly to feed on their nectar (see video here), which, in turn, helps pollinate and produce new seeds. Isn’t that what God intends? After all, just like my purple flowering plants, God wants to bring forth hope and life amid the ruins in His children’s lives, eventually bearing more fruit for His kingdom!
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
Where are you experiencing ruins in your own life? Just remember, you are never alone. Seek God, and He will help you unearth everlasting hope and a fruitful life, bearing more fruit than you can even imagine! After all, He is the Creator and the Master Gardener!
Related Posts:
Seeing Potential in the Worn Down and Broken
“Spiritual” Pruning Produces an Enriched “Soul” and Flourishing Life
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