Text by Jaslyn Wong

On Friday, I was groaning to God about having to attend the Study Skills seminar for the Varsity and Poly Cluster on Saturday: “Daddy!! I really want to sleep in! Or I could use the time to write my essay or to read my notes…or…or I could spend my Saturday with my family!” Yes! I thought. That must work. Surely family time shouldn’t be compromised by ministry events right?

To my utmost surprise, God had better ways of dealing with my incessant complaints. When I reached home on Friday, I found my entire family in the living room! Including my pregnant sister and brother-in-law (who both stay at a far end of Singapore). I enjoyed a good three hours with them, catching up with each other and singing worship songs together.

That night, as I was getting ready to go to bed, I suddenly realised that Daddy God had miraculously created family time for me. He caused each of us to be home at the same time. He even prompted my sister and brother-in-law to make a trip here without prior notice. I was so awed! He even cared to listen to my complaints! Wow…my God is really one that is so full of tender mercies and loving kindness…one that bothers about issues that bother me. One that never short changes me and is always ready to give me more than I can ever ask for.

That was how I ended up going for the seminar with a restful and expectant heart. And I was really blessed by the seminar!

I particularly remembered Coach Maddy’s sharing on Daniel 1. She talked about how Daniel went through three years of training (like us!) and how we are to be like Daniel, set apart and uncommon. We are Spirit-led students, knowing the right thing to do at the right time, and having favour with the king.

Coach also shared about how this comes with knowing that we are one with Christ (John 15:4-5). She shared that when the leaders went to Israel a few years ago, they saw that the vines and branches are so intertwined that they cannot be differentiated. We are so TOGETHER with Jesus that people will not be able to tell us apart. As we abide in Him and He is us, we will be able to have the same wisdom and discernment Jesus has. Indeed, as He is, so are we in this world.

She also talked about how we cannot allow condemnation to come into our lives. As students, we often condemn ourselves for less than expected results, poor time management, or stuttering during presentations. Condemnation causes us to wallow in the dust.

Jesus says in verse 2 that “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” The phrase “takes away” actually means “lifts up” (Greek: airō)! This is because vines that reach the dust cannot bear fruit. Therefore the owner has to lift the vine up, suspend it away from the ground in order for it to bear much fruit.

Jesus wants to lift us up from condemnation! Also, verse 3 says that “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”, and the word here in context refers to our oneness with Christ. Thus we are already cleansed because of being “ah-ka-liao” with Jesus!

Wow, that blew me away. It was a timely reminder that I abide in Jesus and Him in me. I am never alone in school anymore for He lives in me! I will never be lousy because I am one with Him. I will never be foolish because as He is so am I!! If that is how I am going through my varsity life, I would say “Bring it on!!! I am not afraid of challenges because Jesus and I are ONE!” I am so encouraged by this, and I’m actually excited to go to school tomorrow.

Praise Jesus that He not only gave me quality time with my family, He also prepared me for the weeks ahead!

PS: If you had missed the seminar, Coach Maddy encouraged us to get the sermon CD for 3 May 2007 “Why You are One with Christ and Never Cut Off from the Vine” by Pastor Prince. Hope this helps!

Love, Jas

Can you spot which is the vine and which is the branch?

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