And the ending is...

John 15:11 (NIV) "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." 

This one-liner from Scripture is like the "amen," of every story I read.  No matter what lesson I am learning, nor which story I am reading from the Holy Book, it could be ended with, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." These words are like final the punctuation marks to every point made.

Every morning when I spend time with God, seeking answers, comfort, direction or simply quiet peace; the words "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete," the words I truly long to hear.  Regardless if my troubles are many and I feel I am drowning, the Words read in the Bible are meant to give joy - that is the reason I turn to scripture.

Joy is so much more than happiness.  Happiness depends on outside sources and is often dependent upon temporary things.  Joy is found inside, deep inside my heart.  I could be crying and struggling with a situation I that has been thrust upon me, but I can still have joy.

What are the words God is sharing with you this day?  Which story in Scripture mirrors your current struggle or hardship?  Before you close the cover, end the lesson with these Words of Jesus and see if it doesn't make a bit more sense.  "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." 

John 15:1-11

John 15:1-11

“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. (John 15:1-2)

The story of the vine and the branches is one of the more recognized parables from Scripture. This lesson on pruning sounds harsh and painful, but as every master gardener will admit, it is imperative to the outcome. I never understood this concept until reading about the process in the once popular book by Bruce Wilkinson called The Secrets of the Vine.  I was fascinated by his description of the pruning practice.

I love to garden and by February I am eager to plant the seeds and get them started indoors, anticipating warmer weather and the perfect time to plant the seedlings outside. Once they germinate and have grown an inch or two, the process begins. Thinning the crop is so hard to do. But I know from experience, if I don't do it few of the sprouts will flourish.

The parallel Jesus is drawing between vines and branches and our relationship with God is an eye opener.  When I think to a time I would consider as my pruning season, I am reminded of a challenging period when I was learning how to change my ways.  I can see now that God was doing the work of a gardener and cutting away all the dead foliage. He was removing the dried up branches and throwing them into the fire so new growth would appear.

Come to think of it, I did not develop my love of gardening until after I grew in my faith; until I cultivated my personal relationship with Jesus.  Once pruned and tended by the One who can make all things grow up strong, gardening became a passion for me. Have you experienced a period of pruning?  

Read John 15:1-11 here

Listen to John 15:1-11 here