Back To School Again

I am a university grad and got my Bachelors in Finance in 4.5 years.

I was a super senior for one semester! Now, I am deeply thankful to get an education. But I did not like school. I loved the college schedule and playing basketball for five hours a day and staying up all night… but studying, exams, finals, no thank you! I would not want to be in a university again!

But interestingly enough, I was reading a book by Gene Edwards and he said:

“God has a university. It’s a small school. Few enroll; even fewer graduate. Very, very few indeed.”

- Author Gene Edwards

What is this university? As I said, I don’t want to be in school again.

In John 15, Jesus shares about the school of sanctification and how God prunes those He loves. Sanctification is a fancy term to grow in Christ-likeness.

John 15:1-4 uses a metaphor of a gardener to help us understand this school:

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

- John 15: 1-4 (NLT)

God here is saying He is the true gardener. This true gardener loves us unconditionally and accepts us as we are. This true gardener cares deeply about our present and our future. Therefore, this true gardener wants to eliminate anything affecting our relationship with Him and others. He is so wise and careful that He can perfectly cut away - or prune - anything hindering us.

My question for you today is, do you trust him? Do you believe Jesus is the true gardener cutting off things in your life for your own good?

You know, when God is pruning me, it hurts. It hurts my ego and my pride becauseI sometimes feel I have already taken that class or graduated from that university.

But as one pastor said,

“We are all in the process of our own sanctification until Jesus comes back or we die.”

So a loving reminder for myself and perhaps for you:

School is still in session. Therefore, remain in Christ. He will be the best gardener for us and will guide us.

Pastor Sean

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