Has life gotten so busy with all the stuff you’re doing, that you’re beginning to feel exhausted just thinking about it? That’s my life right now. I thought about writing something for Memorial Day, but I can’t do it. My mind is too full of so many things and my schedule too full of appointments and commitments that I needed to write this blog to draw my attention back to my relationship with God.

There are two scriptures that come immediately to mind.

Jesus replied with this parable: “A man invited many to join him in a great feast. When the day for the feast arrived, the host instructed his servant to notify all the invited guests and tell them, ‘Come, for everything is now ready for you!’ But one by one they all made excuses. One said, ‘I can’t come. I just bought some property and I have to go and look it over.’ Another said, ‘Please accept my regrets, for I just purchased five teams of oxen and I need to make sure they can pull the plow.’ Another one said, ‘I can’t come because I just got married.’”‬‬

Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭16-‭20‬ ‭TPT

He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds… Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants…

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.‬‬

Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭3‬, ‭7‬, ‭22‬ ‭NLT

These two passages brought to mind two more.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”‬‬

Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”‬‬

John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV

So this is the way God works in me, the Holy Spirit leading from one verse to another and connecting them together. What I see in this grouping of scripture is a warning that busyness can get in the way of our more important connection with God. Whether it is life in general, or dare I say, the things we feel God called us to do, we still need to be mindful of our abiding.

What stood out to me was not just the abiding, but the pruning. These were two things required for a fruitful life. And it was the “worries of this life and the lure of wealth,” that interferes with God’s plan for us to bear fruit. When we get overwhelmed or overextended there is no juice flowing to produce the results Jesus presence can bring.

When life gets so busy you can’t see straight, it might be a good time to find that “be still” moment and get back to abiding in the vine.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing me back to you. I pray for all those reading this that they will find their connection to you growing stronger and more fruitful.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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