Broken But Still Fruitful
Recently in a conversation with my Chiropractor, he was talking about an illustration that he had heard in a sermon. It really stirred my mind as I began to see the picture.
Picture it with me if you can. There is an apple orchard with tree after tree with apples hanging all on the limbs. Then you see one of the fruit trees that has a broken limb. It is sad to look at as it hangs there barely attached to the trunk of the tree. But then you realize it still has fruit hanging from it’s limb. It has apples growing from it. You would think since it is broken that it would not be able to still bear fruit. But you have to look closer. There you will see it is still connected to the tree trunk. It is still connected to the life source. This being the case, then it is still receiving the life giving nutrients for the fruit to blossom and grow.
Now compare that to our own personal lives. How often have we found ourselves in a place where circumstances and situations have broken, wounded, or hurt us? It would be easy for us to think that since we are in that condition we cannot bear fruit. We feel as though we cannot be productive for the kingdom. But that is a lie. As long as we are still connected to the source, as long as the spirit of God still flows through our lives we can be fruitful. We can still be a blessing to others in our time of pain. We can still be a witness to the lost even though there are broken places in our own lives. We must stay connected to the life giving source.
Many times the farmer will bind up the limb, prop it up, and help keep it connected to the tree until it has grown back together and once again become strong. When we find ourselves in that broken place we need to turn to God, our church family, and others who can pray for us and help us to find the healing we need to become strong once again. Life will come to us from the life giving source as long as we stay connected. Don’t allow brokenness or hurt to cause us to sever that relationship with Him.
There are others around us in the church or family of God who are broken and hurting that we must pray for and encourage them. We must lift them up and help to bind up the broken places so they have time to heal and can continue to find the life that comes from the VINE.
John 15:5-9
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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Lord, help us to always stay connected to you so that our lives can be fruitful. Help us to allow your Spirit to bring healing to the broken places of our lives so that we can be the vessel you desire us to be. Help us to be mindful of those around us who may be hurting and needing help. Thank you, Father, for the strength and peace we find in belonging to you.
Thank you for this post … a timely message for me. Bless you!
So true, Rese. Yes, we may be broken, but if we still can let God use us in the brokenness. Our trails may be to the benefit of others.
Dear Rese, Your blog uplifted me so much, there have been so many times when life had me broken and satan would say to me, “you are broken you have a limb hanging down what good is it.” But God let me see the fruit on the broken limb, and He also let me see the broken place was still connected to the VINE. So He gently pruned the broken limb and lifted it up so it could be mended and become even stronger than before. Blessings Gloria