“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
-John 15:5
I was telling this to the boys this morning. Trying to explain to a 4 and 6 year old how life without Jesus is unfruitful can be interesting. But the truth is the truth and it doesn’t change. My life before having Jesus in it was full of ups and downs. Not to say that my life now doesn’t have ups and downs. The difference is very clear though. Before Christ, I had all kinds of secrets and fears. I had no way out of them except to figure my way through them and hope I landed on my feet. NOW, now I have direction, a foundation of truth and guidance, and I have a fellowship of brothers and other families to walk through the difficult decisions while staying focused on the right and true way of living: to give of myself with a selfless and generous heart. I have a compass and I have faith. I have hope. I have peace and love like I’ve never known. I understand what I’m supposed to do and still struggle with what I want to do. I trip and fall and I now have a place to go and arms to hold as I am lifted back up on my feet, sometimes even being carried along the way. I KNOW that I am loved and I actually now am able to love myself. I confess and am forgiven. I forgive others. I have a capacity to be still and listen like never before. I’m still a man and men generally have a hard time with that last one. I still do. But I KNOW how to listen now and I KNOW, as I somehow always have, that my life is now on the path it was meant to be on. I see fruit in my life as I give my life away. “Its not the love that you receive, it’s the love you give that sets you free.” My faith is my aim now. My hope in God and His love for all mankind. I want His heart. I desire to see everyone as His child. I desire t remain in Him and to have Him remain in me. It is a life changer and a game changer. I highly recommend it. May you know His love today and experience His peace. Godspeed!