An Honest Picture
For some time now, I've been watching this small tree growing. And recently, I noticed a huge branch growing out of this tree and reaching high into the air. This branch seems to belong to a completely different type. It has different leaves and a completely different color. Totally strange.
As a result, the tree suddenly appears much larger. It stands out, but when you look at it, you think, "That doesn't all fit together. Something's not right."
friend, this made me think of the following verse from the Bible, which shows us how important it is for us to remain connected with Him—and only with Him:
"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 15:4-5 NIV)
friend, your mission is not to shine yourself. Your mission is to let Him shine through you.
Not because God wouldn't want you to shine in the spotlight yourself, please don't misunderstand, because you will automatically shine alongside when Jesus shines through you.
But your life should have a much deeper meaning than just having success, being seen, and living the outwardly perfect life.
It's about M-O-R-E. And sometimes, honestly, we're not even interested in that MORE anymore...
Or we're more interested in more options than the option of Jesus. We let more vine dressers trim us than the true Vine Dresser, and suddenly strange things grow in our lives.
Yes, maybe even success... but success without God won't make you shine, it will make you fail... yes, even look strange, like in the case of the little tree I've been seeing grow so oddly lately.
friend: "Is there something growing in your life right now that looks strange? Then turn back today to the one true Vine Dresser who can and wants to set your life in order again!"
Why? Because He can do it! And because He loves you!
You are a miracle!
