"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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me; and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me".
-John 15:1-4
This was part of the Pastor Mark's message at Faith CRC this Sunday. This Sunday where I also had a sendoff for my trip and the whole church congregation prayed over me. Pretty amazing stuff.
This message, especially the part of the pruning, really struck a cord with me. Every since I turned turned back to God and answered the call to "Follow Me" I have really thought of how I want to continue to be remade.
This trip is not going to be a one year deal. It's not going to be about all the adventures I take, all the food I try, all the countries I check off my list(Of course I'd be lying if I wasn't looking forward to that part, haha). This year is going to change my life, and I will not come back the same, nor do I want to.
I want God to break my heart for what breaks His, time and time again.
I want Him to mold me to be more like Jesus, knowing very well that I will never be able to measure even close to living the life He led. I want God to continue to "prune" me so I am more able to do everything He wants to do through me.
I'll leave you with part of the lyrics to a song that has really touched me lately:
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have your way in me
Have your way in me
If peace is a river
Then let it sweep over me
I'm under fire
I know it's refining me
When I hear you calling out
I follow now wherever the road may go
I know you're leading me home
"Lift my life up" by Unspoken
By The Way, I leave in 4 Days!!!!!! EEKK!!!!!
