Shedding pounds feels good. When we step on the scale, we proclaim victory as we see that number drop with pounds lost. Carrying excess weight drags us down, it becomes burdensome and it negatively affects our physical and emotional health.
Much like our physical health, we improve our emotional health when we shed the negative influences in our lives such as; toxic relationships, unhealthy habits, unforgiveness and bitterness. As we become emotionally skinny, we are freed of baggage that serves to weigh us down and belabor us.
But what about our spiritual health, can we expect these same principles to apply?
The short answer is a resounding Yes!
When we prune the garden of our heart, we get rid of the excess and overgrown, opening up the possibility of a deeper spiritual connection with the greatest gardener-Our Creator.
When we prune… we make room.
And when we make room, we allow new and healthy growth. And with more room for the good stuff, we can easily cast away what weighs us down. With new growth comes the opportunity for greater spiritual, emotional and physical health.
With the space to grow, we beckon God to plant his garden of goodness in our hearts and in our minds, as he begins to transform us. His goodness comes in the way of joy, peace, kindness, patience, gentleness and the greater ability to receive and give love. He plants seeds that flourish into budding blossoms~ cultivating an authentic life, where we can experience our truest and most holy selves. A life of humility… that serves others.
Our spiritual fruits come from the vine of Jesus Christ.
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. John 15:2
Christ prunes our hearts to more closely resemble his image. Through the power of his Spirit, he molds us into his likeness. As the Spirit pursues our hearts, we begin to pursue a life following Christ and become, Christ-followers. As followers, we are called to a higher level of responsibility than someone that might identify as a “Christian”. As followers, we willingly accept the responsibility to live a Christ-like life, one of servitude, forgiveness, love and evangelism. Our passion becomes sharing the secret that we know- has the power to change everything. A secret so great and so profound, it can’t possibly be kept a secret~ as we share the love of Christ with others. By allowing Him to prune us, we entrust that he will do so in a way that allows us to produce the best fruit.
We do not loose heart . Though our outer self is wasting away , our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
What does a Christ-follower look like, you may wonder?
A follower of Christ might look like~ you, me, our neighbor, our coworker, our teacher or the clerk in a store.
What does a Christ-follower act like, you may wonder?
A follower of Christ will act different than the world tells us to. They will demonstrate humility and kindness as they set out to serve others in spite of themselves. They will behave selflessly without expectations of receiving. They will give lavishly and speak with words of encouragement. And most of all they will LOVE greatly because they belong to a Father in Heaven who’s ultimate sacrifice paid the greatest price.
SPIRITGIRL 