You read that right. A couple of weeks ago, one of my students was bit by a squirrel at Union Station because he was feeding it bread. Twelve year old boys are such interesting creations. That week was filled with all sorts of crazy stories – from squirrels to losing a student, that group had it all. Time is flying here in the District. It has been 41 days since we moved in and started this exciting adventure. Through the highs and the lows, I am continually amazed at the ways in which the Lord is moving in this city through His servants. Our groups represent Jesus so well as we clean shelters, work with low-income children, and prepare food or package meals. They blow me away time and time again.
This week my group and I worked on a farm, picking strawberries and cleaning out the patch. As I was sitting down pulling weeds and cutting dead branches, I was reminded of imagery in the Bible of bearing fruit and pruning. In John 15, it is written:
“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, as I also 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.”
John 15:1-4
Remain. This idea of continuing to be present with the Lord because I can’t do this on my own. When I stay close to the true vine, He does the gardening. He works on me so that I can be fruitful. But I have to choose to remain. Remaining in Him on the easy days and on the days where I don’t know which step to take. He will prune. He will give me the strength needed to bear fruit. I simply remain.
In this season, I continually am asking the Lord what obedience looks like now. Some days, obedience means pulling my boot straps up and pushing through the tiredness for His glory. Some days, obedience looks like taking time to rest. Yet some steps of obedience are bigger and weightier and harder to discern. I am seeking answers and direction, but Psalm 63 refocuses my seeking.
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
Psalm 63:1-5
This summer is continuing to challenge and encourage me as I learn to remain and to seek. I can’t wait to tell the story of the entire summer as it continues to unfold.
Prayer Requests:
– for DC: that the Lord would strengthen our ministry partners as they serve the needs of the city
– for my team: that we would continue to be strengthened and unified
– for a young girl we worked with this week
– for wisdom and clarity