The Vinedresser
February 16, 2015
Lee Chewning, Associate Pastor | Worship
We begin this week by studying a well-known passage. It’s
evident that our Heavenly Father is actively involved in the lives of those He
has created. As a farmer, my grandfather understood this type of involvement well,
especially when it came to the well being of his crops. As a child, I remember watching
my grandfather cut off over half of a scuppernong vine’s branches every year.
He would always say, "It's good for it." He was right because every
year the branches would come back fuller and healthier that before. The vine’s
branches were sensitive and required my grandfather give them consistent care.
Jesus knew that the agricultural analogy would communicate a myriad of truths.
As we consider spiritual maturity, it’s important to realize
that our Father is aware of our lives and He is actively involved in drawing us
closer to Himself. As the vinedresser, He grows us by way of pruning us. He
prunes us because he desires that every part of our lives be increasingly
abundant with fruit (Gal. 5:22). With care and understanding, He grows us by
allowing pain and revealing sin. Are you bearing good fruit in every area of
your life? Are there branches of your own life that need to be pruned? My
prayer today is that He will show you the areas of your life that are fruitless.
Ask the vinedresser to prune and shape the areas of your life that need to be
matured.
TWEET THIS: Our
Father is actively involved in our lives and He desires that every area bear
good fruit, even if pruning is required. #UpperRoom
