The grandsons are playing in the pool and jumping off of the jump rock, jumping off the edge of the pool and the side of the spa. I have probably warned, Oh, I don’t know – about 100,000 times, Watch! Make sure your brother is out of the way before you jump! Why? Because I don’t want them to get hurt and because I know what is best for them! We want them to enjoy playing, laughing, exploring, pushing themselves to be braver, and get stronger, all while being safe. We want to protect them. But, they just want to play. They don’t think they need our protection.
Our heavenly Father desires the same for us as adults and as His children. He wants us to EnJoy life, to play, to laugh, explore, be brave, and get stronger, all while He is protecting us. My second favorite passage in the Bible is in John 15:1-8.
Jesus is teaching on the Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.
Jesus is teaching us about listening to Him, paying attention to His words and instructions, why? Because He knows best and wants the best for us. Wow! What a privilege and responsibility we have. We have a vine that provides all of our needs; we just need to spend time in His Word and with Him in a relationship.
Dear Lord, thank you for your protection, even when I don’t think I need it. Help me to listen to your voice today and stay connected to you, so I can produce much fruit. Amen
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jn 15:1–8). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
Love it.
Thanks for reading!