Tumbleweeds....

Occasionally our travels have taken us through Texas, New Mexico and the deserts of Arizona. On such occasions, while driving we will see signs that say "Caution, strong wind gusts." Sometimes the wind is so strong it feels like it is going to lift your car right off the ground.  If you are driving through the the desert, you can see tumbleweeds rolling across the barren fields.  Sometimes they will be rolling beside the car.  Several times they have rolled across the field right into the path of our car.  

I have read that tumbleweeds can carry up to 250,000 seeds that reproduce themselves as they drop upon the ground.  Isn't that crazy? As I understand it, they are a round bushy plant that grows to about 3 feet tall and in some places 4 feet.  As they mature, they break away from the plant and because they are round, roll aimlessly, where ever the wind blows.  They have no direction, and no purpose.

We can become like a tumbleweed... dry and brittle with thorns poking us and rolling us with the wind; rolling and rolling until we  bump into something that stops us.  Tumbleweed seeds remind me of the brokenness of this world... the cares that rob us of direction; of a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

We can get that way when we lose direction in God's Word.  Some people flip through the Bible hoping that a particular verse will jump out at them and get them through the day.  Some close their eyes, open the Bible, put their finger on a verse and believe that is God's Word for them for that day... but, I need more than that.  I have to have consistency in my relationship with God.  I do not want to be like one of those 250,000 seeds that hit the barren, dusty ground.... destined to a life of aimlessness. I do not want to be like a tumbleweed.  I would much rather be like branches on a grapevine that produce good fruit, even if at times some of the branches have to be pruned.

John 15: 1-9  is a strong encouragement to us...

"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.  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.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, and I will 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.

I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into  the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love."

The secret is abiding... the secret is staying attached... the secret is knowing that you can do nothing without Him...