John 15:1-4

All we need to do is to “remain” in Him.

Dear KY family,

We have now come to the halfway point of the year. For our young students, it is the start of the school holiday season which is a relief after the exam period. For many families, it is a time for traveling, rest, and perhaps reuniting with loved ones overseas. Yet for others, this mid-year period is as busy as ever.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. (Jn 15:1)

As part of my own spiritual journey, I have always taken time at several intervals of the year to pause and “take stock” of my life and journey with the Lord. I have found this practice to be helpful in my spiritual journey and on many occasions, it has helped me to regain spiritual fervour and stir spiritual hunger for the Lord and His Kingdom.

I’d like to invite you, at this mid-year mark, to find some unhurried and uninterrupted time with the Lord. Here are some questions you can use to guide your time of reflection:

• Has your relationship with God grown in the last few months?
• What foundational truths or character of God has He been revealing to you recently?
• Have there been some things He has tasked you to accomplish for His glory?
• What has the Lord been wanting to change in you or your life this year, and how has the process of repentance been?

Jesus tells His disciples in John 15,

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

What a glorious picture of a Gardener who carefully tends to the branches! As you reflect upon what the Lord has done in your life this past year, take heart that even in the process of pruning, our Lord provides all that is needed for us to be fruitful for Him. All we need to do is to “remain” in Him.