The Road, a Branch and a Truck-Washing

 “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. ” John 15:2-4a (ESV)

There was almost a giggle in my throat when I was told that I was incompatible for the job. After spending two years under their employ they just figured that it out? I would have thought the interview process would have given an indication that I wasn’t their man. I always carried this hidden feeling that I was hired because no-one else wanted the job and I was their “for the moment” until they found someone who did. Oh well…that part of my journey is done and over with. The rest is in YHVH’s hands now.

But to be honest I have spent the past few months looking for other doors to be opened but in God’s sovereignty this door got shut first. So with nothing else to really do and without my wife’s wonderful and gracious input (by the way, her “git-r-dun” list didn’t take long to generate) I decided to wash my truck. I really wasn’t too sure what color it was anymore. Between fishing trips, marinas and driving the road to work, my gold GMC started to take the look of fool’s gold. The color was kinda there but it was hidden in the blackness of road dirt.

Apparently the dirt of the road had been on my truck for quite some time. I would give it a quick rinse down or take it to a self-serve car wash with a power nozzle but it really didn’t get into the cracks but this time it was time to do it right….then I thought of the Jesus washing feet. First of all, how He humbled Himself to do this is beyond my comprehension. But He knelled down to each one of His apostle’s feet and washed them after following Him for three years. I could only imagine what He shared with them as the dirt of the road was rinsed from in between their toes and around their heels. So I thought of what else could be like the removal of dirt in the cracks and crevasses.

Branches!! The whole time I was at this place of employment I had often wondered if I was being a fruit bearer. There were some days that I felt I flat out failed but as I washed my truck a little nudge said “Chris it was just a pruning, if you remain in me, I shall remain in you.” OH WOW!!! I so needed to be reminded that my emphasis on Jesus being the true vine was imperative. To “remain” in Jesus has a deeper significance than to simply believe in Him. It’s the divine relationship of God’s grace that is the source and support of faith. So as a branch goes…I got pruned, OUCH!!

But did I bear any fruit? Later on in the day I would find out that the message I was supposed to deliver to those who would hear was received. ‘Nough said!! So when it’s all said and done, I have been encouraged by this little hiccup in my journey to cleave to Him with full purpose of heart. Just when I thought I wasn’t able to draw life, grace, and strength or obtain mercy from Him anymore a moment of truck-washing assured me that it was going to be alright. After all His message was as clear then to those in the Upper Room as it is now to me scrubbing white walls…”Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is it that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do NOTHING!! — Chris Hughes graduated from the Colony of Mercy is a regular Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 18-19; John 12:1-26

Quote of the day: “There is absolutely nothing wrong with productivity being measurable. However striving to produce in order to be “successful” is wrong. Jesus said that we are simply branches who are to abide in the vine.”—Steve McVey

Verse to Memorize:  My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me Your statutes. My tongue will sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are right. Psalm 119:171-172