The Broken Branch

How do you suppose this branch was broken?  Wind, weight of a winter snow, disease?  One thing for sure,  it looks dead.  Trees have traditionally represented life, so a broken tree would represent death, or perhaps disease.  

More specifically, a broken branch might represent a life cut short.  It is a common tradition to signify someone who died an untimely or premature death by putting a broken branch, flower bud, or rose stem on a gravestone.

John, Chapter 15, is probably familiar to many, the story of the vine and the branches.

15 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

How strong is my branch?  My relationship with Jesus Christ - is it fortified with prayer, study, stewardship?  Where are my weak spots, those areas that if ignored, could easily develop in disease that weakens, causing  that branch to break away if not entirely, perhaps enough to be precarious and dangerous.  Jealousy, gossip, disrespect for others, anger, resentment, not caring for the environment, envy, greed.
Like a storm, that can destroy even the strongest branch, so can each of these things weaken my relationship with Jesus.
As I think on this, inspiration comes from John Michael Talbot as he sings, "I Am The Vine."  Come to Me, let the Spirit bring you Life.

**Click here for the rest of the blogs in this series, "Broken".