Hocutt Women's Ministry

Lord, I can’t do this by myself!

By: Vicky Satterfield

Have you ever noticed a shrub, vine or tree that looked overgrown, awkward, struggling, sickly or just simply in the wrong place?  I have felt like all of these in just the past 6 months.  Then one day you notice the shrub, vine or tree has been pruned or maybe cut down and removed.  After the pruning, it may look odd, maybe even ugly for awhile.  Soon you notice a beautiful new beginning- new growth!

⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. (John 15:4-6)

The pruner, Jesus Christ, is alive and at work in us!  If you are struggling, give it to God.  He never intended for us to go it alone.  During these struggling, awkward seasons of life, God grows us!

³ Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; ⁴ but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4)