Thought for the Week: Life from dead looking branches
It is lovely to see all the signs of spring around us. It’s a season of renewal, a time when the earth awakens from its winter rest, and new life bursts forth in blossoms and greenery.
Over these past weeks, I’ve been pruning. Trying to make sure I have pruned my fruit trees, blackcurrants, and bushes in time before the new sap arises.
It never ceases to amaze me how new life appears after the barrenness of winter, how branches once seemingly dead break forth with life.
Poignantly it reminds me of our own stories – our lives have their seasons, and we create unnecessary stress when we expect things always to be the same. We have our own seasons to negotiate, winters, springs, our own stories of barrenness and fruitfulness.
In this season of Lent, we are invited to pause and examine our hearts, and turn back to God. Just as a gardener prunes away dead branches to allow new growth, Father God skilfully prunes us, we are called to let go of sin, distractions, and anything that keeps us from fully embracing God’s grace.
Are you in a season of barrenness in your spiritual life? Remember, God’s mercy is always ready to bring new life. In John 12:24, Jesus says: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
This verse speaks of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and speaks of our Hope, God will bring beauty from brokenness.
May this season of Lent be a time of renewal for you, a journey toward Easter filled with hope, transformation, and the promise of new beginnings.
Chris Holden, The Fishermen’s Mission.
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