There are 2 picture lessons that have been on my mind a lot this week.
One is the picture of beautiful tree, with one of its branches broken off and laying next to it… dried out and dead. The branch might be laying right next to the tree, but it doesn't matter. John 15 says that He is vine and we are the branches and to remain in Him. Apart from him we can do nothing. When I don't abide with him, I am like that branch, broken off, dried up and unfruitful.
The second picture I have been thinking about is the rope analogy by Francis Chan. He has a rope, and says to imagine it is so long it wraps around the world. He has 3 inches of it painted red, which represents our time on earth, and the rest of the rope if our existence in eternity. He says, most of us live for the tiny red part, - making this life comfortable, successful, and safe, storing up our treasures here. He says people look at his life and say, "that's stupid what you are doing" but he says, "No! what you are doing is stupid! I am living for eternity"
So my questions to myself are: Am I living for and investing in eternity or for the fleeting comforts of this life? and Am I abiding in a way that bears much fruit, walking closely with my precious Savior who is a the source of life…
When I was in college I remember my friend praying, "Lord, teach us not so many many things, but that we know a few things very very well."
I pray this for myself, to learn these lessons full well and live a life that reflected it in the end.
One is the picture of beautiful tree, with one of its branches broken off and laying next to it… dried out and dead. The branch might be laying right next to the tree, but it doesn't matter. John 15 says that He is vine and we are the branches and to remain in Him. Apart from him we can do nothing. When I don't abide with him, I am like that branch, broken off, dried up and unfruitful.
The second picture I have been thinking about is the rope analogy by Francis Chan. He has a rope, and says to imagine it is so long it wraps around the world. He has 3 inches of it painted red, which represents our time on earth, and the rest of the rope if our existence in eternity. He says, most of us live for the tiny red part, - making this life comfortable, successful, and safe, storing up our treasures here. He says people look at his life and say, "that's stupid what you are doing" but he says, "No! what you are doing is stupid! I am living for eternity"
So my questions to myself are: Am I living for and investing in eternity or for the fleeting comforts of this life? and Am I abiding in a way that bears much fruit, walking closely with my precious Savior who is a the source of life…
When I was in college I remember my friend praying, "Lord, teach us not so many many things, but that we know a few things very very well."
I pray this for myself, to learn these lessons full well and live a life that reflected it in the end.
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