If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:6
As I read this verse this morning I typically think of this verse as one being condemned or cast out or possibly even being sent to hell. But in my own experience I have suffered and experienced many of those times of being cast out and withered. Only to be found by the grace of God, picked back up and grafted into the Vine. And then to experience once again the life Giving flow of our Saviour.
I am thankful for this verse in Isaiah 42:3 that says, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out". So many times the father has fanned the smoldering flax in my life and broughtme back to life again.
So many times I have felt cast out and Ccast away from the father because of my rebellion and choosing my own path only to experience that withering, dryness, lifeless despair. And then, at that point of the despair, turning back to God and turning to his ways and having him fan back to life those flames. Once again, lifted up and grafted back into the Vine and feel the Life of Christ once again flow through this vessel.
If you are feeling lifeless. If you feel cast out, burnt out, and spent, turn back to the Father. Choose his ways! Realize that his ways are life-giving. Wait in his presence. Ask him to fan back to life those flames that once burned for him. He will do it. He will do it time and time again. Because he loves us!
Father, fan the smoldering flax. Strengthen the bent reed. I turn my life back to you realizing, that once again I have turned to my own ways and my own plans only to be found wanting and lack. I choose You! I choose your ways! I allow myself once again to be connected to the Vine and allow the Life of Christ to flow richly through me. Thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for being a loving father!
