Deadwood

Romans 11:22 (MSG) Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot. But don't presume on this gentleness. The moment you become deadwood, you're out of there.

How long does it take to become deadwood? Some months ago the hanging shrubs over my fence were pruned. The cuttings have been collected in a spot ready for the green bin, which never has enough room.

Recently as the living branches, still connected, began to blossom so did the cut branches. I was amazed that they still had life in them.

We in the church will see various ones drift and say 'oh well they have backslid'. We don't, generally, hold out much hope, unless we are smitten with a concern that causes us to pursue or pray.

Our God is long suffering and waits. The heat and lack of protection for those branches cause them pain. He knows what will bring them back.

My God has been working in my heart, broadening it, deepening it. I am looking deeper at things I formerly had a fixed mindset, gaining insight and understanding and therefore tolerance and love.

I want to see as He sees, I want to hear as He hears. I want His heart to be my heart. I want to give room as He does, fill me with Your grace Lord! Amen!