The Master Gardener

John 15:1 "My Father is the gardener".
It's a comforting thought that when we are in trouble, in whatever form it comes, we can trust Christ to go through every situation with us. Outwardly, things may appear painful, or even destructive, but inwardly, blessings are being produced. Many of the richest blessings we have inherited seem to be the fruit of sorrow or pain. Even redemption, the world's greatest blessing was also the fruit of the world's greatest sorrow. Whenever a deep knife or pruning comes and the knife comes quickly, and the pain severe, it is a great comfort to know that our Father is the gardener. It is a comfort to know that whatever we may be going through, He is not only with us, but in us. He IS our strength. He IS our help. He IS our shield. He is the Vine in which we abide.
A man spoke once about being in a large greenhouse where clusters of luscious grapes were hanging by the vine on each side. The owner of the greenhouse asked him to completely cut down every stalk. The man did as he was instructed, not understanding the owner's request, but wanting to do what he asked him to do. He cut every vine back to a nub and for two years, there were no grapes.
There is so much rich symbolism in this account of the pruning process, when applied to the walk of a believer. Pruning SEEMS to be destroying the vine. The gardener APPEARS to be cutting everything away. Yet, he sees the future, and knows that the final result will be the enrichment of the life of the vine, and a greater abundance of fruit.
Today, if you are going through something painful, remember Who lives in you. Remember that Jesus showed us that we are so united to Him, as branches to Vine, that His life flows into and through us. Being "in Christ"...abiding in Him.. we draw upon Him..today..think of Him as your inexaustible Source..