The following post was adapted from some timely encouragement shared with me from my sister-in-law, Christine Potter. She’s married to my brother and along with their 3 (almost 4!) kids live in Clarkston GA. She’s passionate about seeing others grow in their love of God’s Word and so is an active member and leader in the Community Bible Study (CBS) organization.
I just wanted to get some thoughts to the screen of some things that encouraged me this morning. I was reading this passage in a devotional this morning John 15:1-8.
“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[a] 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
In this time of uncertainty, I was reminded in the quiet of this morning to remain in our Savior. I cannot parent, love my family, husband, friends, neighbors well, apart from Christ.
The reminder of our connection with Christ also came from the commentary of this weeks CBS study. The “personalize the truth” section said: “Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’ ‘Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.'” Isaiah 49:14-16″
We are not only in the vine, but we are ENGRAVED on His hands. We all are feeling the affects of this new situation – have fear of loved ones or selves getting sick, running out of supplies, others or selves dealing with loss of work – so many things to burden us; yet Christ reminds us to remain in Him, for He is our hope. Our God has not forgotten us. In fact we are a part of Him. May we continue to seek him, to deepen our relationship with Him. Like Joseph in slavery, God is with us. We need this more than ever as we step through the darkness of the unknown.