Don’t Choke!

John 15:1-5

"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. 4Remain in me, and I will 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.

Another lesson from my blueberries. One morning I was weeding the area around the blueberries. Tough weeds and tall grass had grown all around the base of the bushes. It was a mess and it almost seemed like they were choking the bushes. As I began to clear away the weeds, I realized we need to clear away our "weeds" at times too. Before we choke.

I started out thinking about worry choking me but you know, other things can choke. Worldly distractions such as too much time watching TV, or blogging or Twittering or even crafting (oh how I love my beading!!) can choke your time with God.

The weeds were being a burden and distraction to the life of the blueberry bushes. They will stop producing fruit if left unattended. It chokes the plant.

Not spending time with God and worrying about "what's next" is a burden and distraction to the life of a believer. They will also stop producing fruit if left unattended. It chokes you.

Are you being "choked"? Is your fruit being left unattended?