Wayward Branches

A garden left unattended will eventually get overgrown, with vines and branches becoming wayward. Plants have to be trimmed and trained to the wishes and commands of the gardener. In the same way, God disciplines us so that we are conformed to the likeness of His Son.



For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ~Romans 8:29 (NIV)


And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. ~1 Corinthians 15:49 (NIV)


And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being
transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes
from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ~2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)



The only problem? We don't like discipline. Being conformed to the image of Christ means being moved from our comfortable position of doing what we want when we want it. It can be painful to be trimmed and trained to the wishes of the Master Gardener.



But without His discipline we can't become what He wants us to be, which is conformity to Christ.



My prayer is that I will mature in my faith to the point that I welcome the pruning shears and refining fires of God, knowing that in time, I will become like the One who created me, has a purpose for my life, and will one day have me stand before Him to give an account. I don't want to be a foolish wayward branch. I want to be transformed and conformed to Christ through His discipline, so I can hear Him say: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."



Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. ~Job 5:17



The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. ~Proverbs 1:7



My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his
rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son
he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains
understanding, ~Proverbs 3:11-13



Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son
is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and
everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and
not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined
us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the
Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but
God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who
have been trained by it. ~Hebrews 12:7-11



Father God, thank You for Your great love that refuses to let us get away without Your discipline. Help us to welcome Your discipline--no matter how painful--as what is best for us. Thank You for being the gardener of our souls. Amen.