John 15:6 NLT 
 
'Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.'
 
When we arrived at the Oratory, we knew little to nothing about gardening, so we set about learning a new craft. One of the first tasks was to prune the many overgrown trees. We discovered this strengthened the remaining growth and ensured greater fruitfulness. The wood we removed was eventually burned on our log fire. 
 
Moving from the specific to the metaphorical, Jesus is speaking here of those who choose to stop abiding in him. I think this is a challenge we all face; moments when we doubt our faith or blame God for the realities of our life. Choosing salvation does not risk-proof us: we are subject to the anomalies of human existence in the same way as everyone else.  
In Christ, I can find the resolve and resilience to navigate my way through such anomalies. In doing so I may discover some wood that is reducing my fruitfulness. This I can easily surrender. Keeping it would reduce my fruitfulness as well as the fullness of joy which God gives me. More problematic, though, is walking away, a deliberate act of turning my back upon God. I have been tempted, and got close to this on some occasions. Yet, if God is to respect our free will, he must give us permission to walk away. Failure to do so would make him a dictator, benevolent perhaps, but still a tyrant. Finding God when in deep distress and/or pain is exceptionally difficult, but it’s always the path that opens before us in times of trouble.  
 
I’ve come to realise that there are only ever two directions available to me. Walking with God, or walking away from God. Being stationary isn’t an option.  
 
QUESTION: What would be your choice when faced with a crisis – walking with God, or away from him? 
 
PRAYER: May I be ready to follow you, Lord, regardless of my circumstances, and please prune me as you wish.  
 

Released on 23 Jul 2020