Written by a Cafe 1040 Student
In John 15: 1-4 Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
This parable illustrates the process of sanctification. God is good not only by extending salvation, but also inviting us into relationship with him. He is continually teaching me that He does not save us so that we can do things for him--He does not need service from human hands. He invites us to abide in him; by abiding in him, he begins to change our hearts. He allows pruning (sanctification), so that we begin to look more like him and better reflect his image. In the weeks here God has allowed my heart to see and experience suffering; for it to break for those are hurting and be broken. He does this because he loves and cares for me. His desire is for my soul to delight in him, and in order to delight in him, I must know who he is; everything that I have experienced here from great joy to discouragement God has used to demonstrate his character to me.
One instance that comes to mind that the Holy Spirit has led me to share with you was during our third week on a homestay trip. Eight teammates and I had the opportunity to stay with some Muslims during Ramadan for part of the week. From that experience I discovered that culture shock is very real, and that seeing a face matched to a UPG is heartbreaking. Before we arrived to our homestay I was excited to live with Muslims and learn about what they believe, it was a hard experience, but I am so thankful for the time that I had with them and what God showed me about his character.
I didn't consider how the trip was going to affect me, or the expectations within my heart that I was secretly harboring. I didn't realize that we would hear the call to pray and that it would affect my spirit; or that poverty that is much more evident than it is in basetown; that wearing a head covering would make me feel frustrated about how women are viewed in the culture; or that eating at 3 am would make me feel sick to my stomach. One night I was journaling out my frustrations and I questioned God, "Why do you allow this? All of this suffering, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual; where is the good in this? How do you receive glory from this? How are you loving these people?" And the Lord in his gentleness and graciousness spoke to me, "every tongue will confess." God sees everything in the world, he knows every event in history, and every event that will be history; ultimately He will be glorified on earth as He is in heaven no matter what I feel in a particular situation. He has a plan that is good and perfect, and I don't have to know every minute detail of that plan unfolds--I just have to trust him.
The Lord is gracious, patient, ever faithful, omniscient, and love. He has shown this to me in so many ways, and all he wants of me right now is to trust in who he says he is. And that is the desire of my heart; the hard things are necessary, pruning is necessary, for my good and his glory.
