Recently I’ve been learning so much about the abundant love of God, and what it means to truly abide in that love.
This year here at LU is about being truly alive in all the right ways. I want to live fully for God, and be operating out of his creativity in all that I do. It’s so interesting to look back on where I was last year this time coming in as a first-year sophomore, to where I am now as a junior.
During the first week of classes this semester, I felt such a strength in the joy of God, and in spreading that joy to the girls on my hall as they came across my path. Last year I was fearful and lonely, and while it was really tough feeling that way, I wouldn’t change it for anything because it taught me so much about how to love others well like God loves them. At the beginning of this school year, I made it my mission to be the person I wish I had at the beginning of last year. I want to show love abundantly, as God has shown me. I want to walk into a room without being fearful of others and thinking insecure thoughts about myself; rather I want to walk in the strength of God’s joy, abiding in him and empowering others to find security in who He says they are, His beloved children. I want to walk in oneness with God, unity in obeying His will. When we are filled with the abundance of His love and are giving from that place of abundance instead of just our human capacity to love, we are giving from a well that never runs dry, because God’s love is a never-ending flow of goodness.
Additionally, this past week or so I’ve been learning a lot that as much as God’s love is for others through me, it is for me to receive as well.
A passage of scripture that’s really stood out to me these past few weeks is John 15:1-11, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
This passage is so rich with the goodness of God, but one thing that’s stood out to me in particular these past few days is the portion that talks about God pruning fruit-bearing branches so that they are able to bear more fruit. God, ever the master gardener, is working on my heart to get rid of some dead branches, so to speak, in order to bring about freedom through the process of breaking down any barriers to loving well. The pruning process of cutting off those dead branches can be painful, but it is necessary for flourishing and new growth. God has been identifying to me areas of my past that need to be pruned, healed, and prepared for new growth. I won’t go into detail in this post because truthfully I’m not ready for that yet, but I know God is at work in my life and creating a place in my heart for new growth and a place where I can abide in his love more fully, and find strength in His healing and joy.
So here’s to letting God prune the past, and letting new life bloom in abundance. Trusting in this promise of new life, I turn and run to the one who calls me worthy of love, deserving of grace and comfort. And I’m running so fast and it feels like freedom and life and shaking off the dead. It feels like finally, I’m home.
Live abundantly in God’s abundance. In Him is everything you were made to be. Throughout the highs and the lows, you are growing, you are flourishing, even if you can’t see it or understand at the time. Grow by abiding in Christ, and live out His heart for others by loving others well, and accepting His love for yourself as well.
Love abundantly,
Sarah.
sarah's heart 