Written by Wendy Neill
It was especially hot that day. The rain had poured down hard on me all night, and then the sun was relentless, driving up the humidity in the air. I looked down the length of my body, and there they were, as always. Scars. And knots. I was so twisted and broken. My bark was rough and falling off, leaving the tender part of me exposed. Did I see any fruit? No. I was lucky if one pitiful piece of fruit would show up every other year, despite all my efforts. With all this rain and sun, why couldn’t I produce fruit? I am on a fruit tree, for crying out loud!!
Then He came. I felt a strong hand grab hold of my middle and HEYYYY!!! That hurt! His razor-sharp knife cut through me in a fraction of a second, and then He was carrying me away. “Hey Mister! Don’t you know I will die apart from my tree?!”, I hollered. But He only smiled at me. Smiled?
After a short walk, I realized where I was. I was in his garden. Beautifully manicured trees stood straight and strong all around me, laden with plump fruit. He walked right up to one of the trees and found the spot He was looking for. It was obvious that another branch had been cut off. He made a further incision of an inch. I grimaced as I heard the tree groan.
Then He further sharpened me. That hurt worse than the quick cut off my tree. Pain shot through my system and I could feel the oozing. He firmly pushed me into the other tree, grafting me in place. He then wrapped me tightly with duct tape, binding me to the branch alongside me.
“What are you doing?! This is painful. And I don’t belong on this beautiful tree! I’m all scarred and knotted and twisted.”
He looked at me with gentle eyes and said, “You’re right. But I am going to care for you and prune you. Your heart will merge with the hearts of the branches around you so that you will be one with this tree. Live humbly among the other branches. Trust me. Remain in me. Find rest and enjoy the life-giving nourishment of the sap. And you will produce fruit for others to enjoy. This is your purpose and my delight.” He took a few steps, then turned back and added, “By the way, I have scars as well.”
Read Romans 11 and be thankful today that the Divine Gardener has seen fit to graft you, a Gentile, into his kingdom.
