“The Wild Olive Shoot”

Romans 11:17-20 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the other branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For is God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

I enjoy the flowers of spring. The crocus seem to throw off the late snow and push its way to the surface. The plants also seem to be a bit early as more often than not, snow falls and covers the plants at least one more time. The power of the bulb and the strong roots nourishing the bulb are truly something to marvel at. Who else but God would think of using a bulb and root system to sustain a plant through the long cold days of winter?

There are a couple of points to ponder and take to heart in the Romans 11 passage above. The first is branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. The second is God did not spare the natural branches and neither will he spare you. This is a good news/bad news type of thing.  The good news is that we are every bit as much a part of the family of God as those who came before us. The chosen of Israel were first, the natural branches. But because of their unbelief they were broken off. That one sentence goes to the heart of the good news/bad news.  We too can be broken off for the very same reason (unbelief). What could ever cause unbelief to creep into and disrupt you and me from being connected to God? The list of possibilities is too long for us to even begin to explore here. Suffice to say, a loss of faith and unbelief has terminal implications.  What can we do?  Are we doomed to be broken off as the natural branches were? In a word, NO! We have prayer in our arsenal to stay connected. We have the ability to seek out the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in prayer at all times. We have the ability, the wisdom, and the wherewithal to overcome any burden through the Father. We can endure any hardship with the help of God. Alone in this struggle, we are road kill. But God is our rock, our refuge, our strong tower & our shelter from all storms.  That is what we simply must never forget or falter in our believing. And with that knowledge, we can guide those we encounter who have become lost. Ours in not be selfish, rather it is to be selfless. The Apostle Paul said it best. Father I believe, help me in my unbelief. 

PRAYER: Thanks be to God, that we who were once slaves of sin and condemned to death have been saved. We the grafted wild shoots are rescued, and restored. For that, we are eternally grateful and offer praise to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God now and forever. Amen.