Today as the rain comes down and the spring sun begins to warm the earth, our gardens begin to show signs of new life. Looking at our raspberry plants, I am immediately impressed with their incredible growth. Now four years old, the plant has begun to mature and reproduce at an incredible rate. In some locations, I can see that where a single stalk was planted, it has multiplied over ten times. Truly this is a wonderful and amazing spiritual truth!
However as any gardener is aware, this new growth also now exposes the stalks which will never bear fruit. Instead of spreading, these stalks only weigh down the larger system of the plant. Not only that, these stalks will not even produce fruit on their own stalk! These are the ones which must be pruned and thrown away.
Sadly, this same pattern is lived out among our own Christian brothers and sisters. While good plants reproduce by their very design, and bad plant only draws on the larger system; only taking and never giving.
Brothers and sisters, let us not be found to be a stalk only leaching on the body. We must thrive and grow the kingdom of God!
Over two thousand years ago, our Lord and savior was beaten, tortured then crucified and died. His horribly brutal execution was payment for our sins and is testament to God's love and grace for us all. Out of our deep appreciation for this event, we draw the strength needed to reach out to those we may not want to reach. Spread his loving message to all around, keeping in mind that Jesus suffered and died for each person, no matter our opinion of who they are.
