Carol Purves

‘Jesus said, I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.’ John 15:1-2

I have read these verses three times in the last few days. God must be speaking to me. There is pruning to be done in my garden at this time of year and definitely pruning in my spiritual life.

Things don’t always work out as I want them to. That must be God doing His work in my life. I can only pray that the pruning will bring more fruit.

‘I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time for my departure is near.’ 2 Timothy 4:6

This Paul speaking towards the end of his life. I have two lovely friends who are in that position. I give thanks to God for their many years of devotion to Him and the fact that their reward is at hand.

‘Come near to God and He will come near to you.’ James 4:8

God doesn’t force us to come near to Him. We have to take the initiative. Prayer needs to become a habit. Maybe send an arrow prayer every time we pass through our front door or when we make ourselves a drink.

Being so human we can rush along with our lives and leave Him behind. He want our companionship.

‘I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race.’ 2 Timothy 4:7

Obviously this is not something that we can say until the end of life. As we don’t know when that will be we can only cay ‘we have fought the good fight up till now. This proves yet again that life is a battle, but not a battle we have to fight alone. Praise God for that.

Practise hospitality. Romans 12:12

I was interested in the use of the word ‘practise.’ This means we have to keep on doing it, in order to get better at it. I also think it means giving hospitality to people to whom you wouldn’t expect to give it. It would include the meals we give at church to the hostel residents, the open cafe we have for people who need a bit of company. Offering a coffee to the person on their own down the road.

There are so many opportunities, we just need to practice it, so we may be entertaining angels unaware. I like that.

‘You are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.’ 1 Corinthians 12:27

I’ve always known that we are all a part of the whole and we need to play our different parts in the Christian life. I’m now beginning to realise that our roles change as life progresses.

When I was lounger I was involved in Sunday School work, youth camps and the active life of the church. As I became older I was taking part on committees and decision making roles.

Now in the latter part of may life, my physical work is at a minimum and I’m more fully involved in the prayer life of the church. There is no part which has been the more important. It’s a matter of being where God wants me to be, when He wants me to be.

Jesus said ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God. ‘John 11:40

Jesus said this at the time of the death of Martha’s brother. I find it difficult to understand why Jesus delayed raising him from the death, but read that it was so we could believe.

In typical human fashion Martha had to find someone to blame. Jesus was the one who fell to her wrath because of His delay. As I ponder what this teaches us, I conclude it must be to have faith and therefore see the glory of God.

‘I press on towards the prize for which God has called me homewards in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:14

As I’m in my 80’s I feel I’m nearly there, though more and more people seem to be living to 100. I can still be used by God, mostly praying these days and hoping I have the aroma of Christ about me.

‘God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19

I note that God will satisfy my every ‘need’, not my every ‘want.’ Often they are not the same thing. I want things that are not good for me, but God loves me too much to let me have them.

‘The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands.’ Psalms 19:1

The sky is always there whatever the weather. Most times we don’t think about it or look at it. We do look if it indicates approaching rain or it is ‘wall to wall’ blue. Like God it’s always there, but forgotten. So sad in both cases.