Harvest

By Mary Spence

“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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.   -    John 15:1‭-‬8 NIV

I love this time of year! The plentiful harvest. The beautiful sunflowers, and round brightly colored pumpkins. The picking, preparing, canning and freezing to prepare for the coming winter. I am a gardener, so by September my friends and neighbors run when they see me coming because I'm giving everyone I know zucchini squash and tomatoes.

Yesterday I was thinking about how similar gardening is to our spiritual growth...

How planting the seed of his word is like gardening.We first till the soil (prepare our mind) making it fresh and new to receive the seed. We turn it  and fertilize it and make sure it's ready. Next you plant the seed (His word) carefully covering it with soil. Then it needs sun, water and TIME to sprout. And just like our growth in the Lord, the more devotion we give to it the better it grows. Sometimes we have to get in there and remove the weeds that are encroaching on what we are trying to grow... threatening to choke off our beautiful fruit. Sometimes the weeds are the world, our business, our desire to chase things that are not what God desires for us. Sometimes it's my own stinkin' thinkin'. Hurts habits and hangups.

JOHN 15 1-2
 “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.

Then it's time to prune! Ouch! To cut back the branches that are not fruitful. This will give our plant more energy for the parts that will produce fruit. Sometimes it hurts when he prunes us but it's always for a better plan or purpose. When our pride gets in our way and we need to be humbled. When I let fear stand between me and His plan for me. It's always about breaking our heart for the next better thing He has for us or to prepare us for our next journey or growth.  But in the season..  ow!

John  15 goes on to say:
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.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Then finally the harvest! The sweet product of our hours of labor, broken nails, dirty knees and aching back. We become fruitful in Him! Ready to give to others and share the knowledge(our fruit).  Not the zucchini though.

In that day— “Sing about a fruitful vineyard:  I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.  I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire.  Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.”  In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.    -    Isaiah 27:2‭-‬6

That's our harvest. When we can go out and be used for His will. So go ask!

​Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Please open up my heart to the growth and change you wish to make in my life. I pray that you would grow the gifts and talents in me that you intend to use for your good and fruitful plans for my life. Give me the strength to prune in the areas that are not producing fruit and where my will is in conflict with your will help me to submit and be still. Waiting is the hardest part, Lord, so help me to be patient when it's quiet. So that your plan for my life can blossom.
Amen