I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.  John 15: 5 NLT

“WHY am I still such a little bud hanging here?  I should be a big red apple by now.  Wonder what I can do to make myself grow faster?  So frustrating because it feels like nothing is happening!”

It may sound silly that an apple blossom would get frustrated over its growth.  We all know that it takes months to go from bud to a ready-to-eat apple.

Yet we all are guilty of consciously or unconsciously falling into the same thought pattern.  We want more of God; we want to grow into a deeper relationship with Him.  We get frustrated at the seeming lack of visible growth.  At times it even feels like NOTHING is happening.  We strive to grow (at least I am guilty).  We read books, attend church, go to Bible study, and even attend conferences in an attempt to make something happen.  We feel the need to do SOMETHING.  None of these things are wrong; they will challenge and encourage you BUT they will not produce growth.

There is only one thing to do.  The little apple bud has to just hang on her branch and let the tree do its work.  Likewise, we need to spend time with God, in His presence… probably more than two minutes driving to work or school or grocery store.  As we spend time with God, meditating on His Word and communicating with Him, we too will grow.  If we “hang” in His presence, He will grow you and me; He will heal and restore us into something amazing.  

The frustrating thing is that I cannot DO anything to make myself grow (and neither can you) EXCEPT by spending time with God.  Then it will happen!  Yes it will take time! BUT it will happen.  I have no idea how it happens but I choose to trust that He will do it and choose to rest in the promise of John 15:5.

Join me:

•  in committing to spending some time with Him each day- no guilt trip here! but in order for “hang” with the Lord you actually have to do it, not just talk about it.

• in laying aside your striving and trying to figure it out and let Him do it- that is a hard one isn’t it?

•  in surrendering to His growth time- we chafe at His “slowness” don’t we?

blood of the slain

purchased my life, my freedom

acute thankfulness

-margaret slabach

my wounds and scars are

windows through which people see

Love and Grace revealed

                         -margaret slabach

"I Am Willing"

A man with leprosy came and knelt before Jesus and said, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Jesus reached out and touched him saying, “I am willing”  (Matthew 8:1-4)

My heart collides with those four simple words…”IF You are willing…”  How many times have I asked that in my most secret place, not even able to verbalize it most of the time.  I KNOW God is willing to do it for others, but for ME…if… a small word that holds so many things in its two letters.  Am I worth it?  Would He do it for me?  Am I good enough to be noticed?  Or am I too messed up?  Am I even important enough?

The disease of leprosy causes one to be an outcast, alone, unwanted, unclean.  For us today, leprosy may represent our sin, our brokenness, our messed up lives.  So the question is, will I come like the bold yet fearful leper and kneel at the feet of the Father, asking, “You can clean me up if You are willing” or will I let the crowds yelling “unclean… broken” intimidate me, keeping me from possible help?  Will I let the fear of a “no” answer keep me an “outcast”?  All too often I have asked… expecting a “no” because of the way I see myself.  I wonder if the leper was scared to death to ask Jesus; he had nothing to lose but a whole lot to gain.  Jesus reached out and touched him, knowing the disease was highly contagious.  Oh how we long for such a touch- someone willing to touch our messy, contagious places.  To feel the touch of LOVE, but then to hear “I am willing”.  His heart must have missed quite a few beats at those precious words "I AM WILLING!"

I wonder if we were still long enough, if we’d hear those same words “I am willing” whispered to us.  We get so noisy, rehearsing why we are not worth it, why we don’t deserve His attention along with his touch.  Will you join me, kneeling in front of the Savior… quietly… listening… Do you hear the soft voice telling you, as He touches your face, “I am willing…I am willing to clean you up!”

Good Friday

spilt blood overflows

mingling with our brokenness... 

healing seeping in

                                   -margaret slabach

A man with leprosy came and knelt before Jesus and said, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Jesus reached out and touched him saying, “I am willing” (Matt 8:1-4)

My heart collided with those four simple words…”IF You are willing…”  How many times have I asked those same words in my most secret place, not even able to verbalize it most of the time.  I KNOW God is willing to do it for others, but ME;  if- that small word that holds so many feelings in its two letters.  Am I worth it?  Would You do it for me?  Am I good enough to be noticed?  Or am I too messed up?  Am I even important enough?

In biblical times, leprosy caused one to be an outcast, alone, unwanted, unclean.  For us, leprosy might represent our sin, our brokenness, our messed up lives.

So will I come like this boldly fearing leper and kneel at the feet of my Father, asking, “IF you are willing, You can clean me up” or will I let the crowds, the “friends”, yelling “unclean” intimidate me, keeping me away.  Will the fear of a “no” answer keep me an outcast?

So often I have asked, “IF You are willing…” expecting a “no” answer because of the way I see myself.  I wonder if this leper was scared to death to ask or was he desperate enough because he had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

He asked and Jesus reached out and touched him- touched him knowing that leprosy is highly contagious.  Oh how we long for such a touch, someone willing to touch our messy, contagious places.  The touch of love and then to hear, “I am willing!”  His heart must have missed a few beats at hearing those precious words, “I am willing”.

I wonder if we were still long enough if we’d hear the same words, “I am willing”.  We get noisy rehearsing why we are not worthy, why we don’t deserve His attention, let alone His touch.  We are noisy… because we are afraid…

Will you join me on my knees in front of Jesus… quietly listening?  Do you hear the gentle voice, “I am willing!  I am willing to clean you up”!

Some of us need this promise today