Magnificence

 

Over the years I have had the privilege of seeing many amazing buildings in places around the world. Some of the newer ones are imposing but not really beautiful.  It's often the old buildings and cathedrals that take our breath away with their magnificent architecture and amazing artisanship. I have stood in wonder inside more than one old cathedral and asked myself, "How did they do this?" 

It was the same wonder that the disciples felt as they and Jesus left the temple that was in Jerusalem.  "Just look at these magnificent buildings, look at the amazing stonework." they said to him.  It was a beautiful building, worthy of a second glance but Jesus knew that it only had another 40 or so years to stand before it would be totally destroyed.  Not one stone would be left upon another. This happened in AD70 went the Romans ransacked Jerusalem. 

I suspect that Jesus was seeking to draw their attention from the temporal, to the eternal. It seemed to work, because when they sat down together later they asked him, "When will these things happen, and what will be the signs?"  Jesus went on to speak not only of the time of that temple's destruction but also signs to look for before his coming again. Mark 13 ff.

It is too easy for us to set our sights on the magnificence of earthly things. I see it becoming so much easier for us today to see only the growing wickedness which the world thrusts upon us daily.  We shouldn't be surprised.  Our Bible tells us it will happen. Philippians 2:15

As wickedness envelops our world, many people are wondering where this is all headed.  The climate warnings grow more urgent as certain groups fear the changes they see happening.  As believers, we should be expecting this.  Certainly if we are students of God's word, which we all should be, God has not left us ignorant or without warning. We are to shine as lights in the darkness, so how can we do that? Only by focussing on the magnificence of our wonderful hope of the new heavens and earth which we have been promised.  When we focus on Jesus and his promises, we have nothing to fear, but so much to look forward to. 

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,  and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. Jude 1:21-22

PRAYER: Father God, help me to keep my eye on the goal of what you have prepared for those who love and follow your word.  Help us to shine as lights in this dark world.  Amen

Pruning Time

 This is our flowering cherry tree three years ago.  It always gives us great joy in the spring. The birds love it for the treats that Colin so faithfully puts in it daily.  Our gardeners had not pruned it properly since this photo. It had become very 'twiggy' and ungainly. After it had dropped its many hundreds of leaves this year I decided it needed a pruning and this was done a couple of days ago.  We now await its September display.

This pruning reminded me of one of Jesus' parables that he told in John 15:1-8.  Jesus spoke of himself as the vine and his followers as branches. Living in a wine growing area we are very familiar with the leafy vines and their heavy bunches in the summer.  In the winter, however, they are pruned back to very little so that there can be fresh and fruitful new growth for the new season.

I looked up the reason we prune and it's basically for 3 reasons.  Firstly it is to remove dead or diseased branches so that the health of the tree is preserved.  Secondly it can be to shape the tree.  Thirdly and probably most importantly is so that it will bear 'much fruit'. Jesus gave the reason for his followers to 'bear much fruit'; it was that the God the Father might be glorified verse 8. 

The fruit that Jesus speaks about is what he expects to be found in the lives of his true followers.  It is known as 'the fruit of the Spirit or, the characteristics that can be observed in the life of a believer. (Galatians 5:22-23). Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  All good things, nothing that is against the law. You may have noticed that this verse 22 begins with a a 'but'.  That's because it is contrasting what a godly life looks like, as opposed to what the 'fruit' a life lived to please oneself produces (verses 19-21). Check it out!

A life with Jesus requires regular pruning, as does the vine.  We have seasons of fruit-bearing and seasons of rest and recuperation.  These occur in different ways.  Sometimes through ill health, difficult times, or sometimes because we get careless in our spiritual life and need to be 're-shaped'.  

The important thing is not to be surprised when you feel like you are being pruned. It is a normal process so that we bear more fruit and bring glory our Father in heaven.  Pruning is uncomfortable but if we can draw nearer to God and allow him to do his work, we can look forward to becoming more like him.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a wise gardner who can be trusted to shape my life into one that is pleasing to you.  Help me to yield to your pruning shears so that I can bear more fruit to your glory.  Amen