In Full Bloom

"You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear much fruit, fruit that will last." - John 15:16

So if you're reading this right now you have received a call from God, and, as the verse says, you didn't choose Him. He chose you. Maybe you're someone who is taking their relationship with God very seriously and wants to mature spiritually, or maybe you've stumbled upon this and are reading out of curiosity… either way, my faith tells me it is no accident you're reading these words and that Jesus has indeed called you towards Him. And if He called you, He's going to ask you to bear fruit, but what exactly does it mean to bear fruit? Last year, I remember being in my backyard. It was a brisk afternoon in early Spring and my cherry blossom tree had a few beautiful flowers on it. I looked at it and thought to myself that I wish I were this beautiful flower before the eyes of God, and now I understand that I am this to God, and so are you. As we develop spiritually, God will ask you to bear fruit and later on that could mean doing good for others, but right now, at this moment, bearing fruit is allowing yourself to bloom like that flower. That poor tree looked tired, ugly, and lifeless a few months before that… maybe that's how you feel sometimes. But with a little sun and warmth, the tree was brought back to health, and that change let it bear beautiful flowers.

Jesus has chosen to shine on you so that you can bear fruit, so that you can blossom. He wants to do away with the dry, callous winter of your life and have your mind, body, and soul bloom so that you can be liberated from whatever holds you back. You didn't choose Him. He chose you, so be still and allow His light to shine on you so that you could bear fruit.

Today's Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I know You want to give me so much. You want me to shine and live in the peace You created me for. Help me to open myself up to receive Your love and Your life so that I could blossom and bear much fruit. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.