James 15:1-17 Awaken Day 9

A commonly recited passage it seems. 2 things stuck out to me:

Verse 3: You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.

I always focused on the "I am the vine, you are the branches" part, but right after that it says how He is already pruning me. And I see it in my life too- the more time I spend in His Word, the better I feel, the more healthy my relationships, and the more natural I find it to be to act Christ like.

I often dream of working a 9-5 job....well doing anything other than what I do. I really think that a big part of that is the strain that working with my dad has placed on our relationship. It has been my focus lately to concentrate on that, and I have already seen small changes. It makes it easier to make the changes in myself when I have been reading Scripture. Funny how that works. I also have been realizing more and more how he is a good and Godly man- one with a long standing habit of reading Scripture and praying each morning as he starts his day. May others be able to say the same thing of me someday.

Verse 16: You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

Why? Why me? Especially when He had a choice! I don't get it, but I know it's for a reason. My prayer today is that He transforms me to be who I need to be in all my relationships, and that I fulfill His purpose in my daily walk.