Today’s scripture: John 15:1-5 (NLT)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me in this passage? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Julie Benson):

Rolling down the road for hours at a time provides me with a lot of time to think, reflect, contemplate, and to visually take in the abundance of life and creation that surrounds me.

Consider my recent reflection on road construction. . .

I have seen two different methods used to patch holes in the road.

In the first method, the construction crew simply fills the hole with asphalt and pats it down so it is even with the existing pavement, scraping away any of the excess. This method serves as a viable temporary solution, but the filler eventually wears away leaving an exposed hole in the road once again.

In the second method, the construction crew cuts away the pavement surrounding the original hole, making an even larger hole than when they started. With this expanded surface area, the crew then meticulously works to remove the uneven debris, making a new smooth surface ready for its permanent patch and repair. The entire road is not eliminated, yet this section is replaced with new material to give it better strength and durability.

God, our personal construction worker, continues to carefully shape us, mold us and prune us. In order to successfully achieve this, circumstances sometimes have to get worse before they can get better. De[con]struction happens before Reconstruction can begin. Walls need to be torn down. Old ways of doing things need to be replaced with new. Pride needs to be replaced with humility. Self-actualization and hard truths must be discovered.

Thought for the day: Don’t worry; God will fill all of those empty holes. Remember, you are under construction!

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.