Ingrafted Branches

The fingertips of an old man trail up and down a row of white and black keys. Beautiful melodies take me away to another place, and I almost had forgotten that I was sitting in a coffeeshop. I hear the voice of boys talking about how great the surf is; watching people walking in and out... some of them smile at me and I smile back. There are paintings of lotus flowers all over the walls. In the corner of the room, a tiny blackboard stands on the stage and in chalk is written: SUN 7-9:30 Jesus Jams Host Pastor Tim. Tonight, I'll come again to watch Caleb sing his songs, and Darla and Rocky play music with him.

I am reading Romans 11:11-24 about the "Ingrafted Branches." It is amazing! I had opened up to this word last night before I shut my eyes, and it filled my heart as it spoke to me about the roots of an olive tree. Paul writes that if the root of a tree is holy, then so are the branches. I believe that God is our holy roots, and we are the branches who hold his fruits. However, some branches may be broken off because of unbelief, though a wild olive shoot: one who begins to believe, will be grafted in among the other believers who stand by faith! I see myself as a wild olive shoot, for I became a believer five years ago. Throughout those five years I've seen many branches fall from the tree which I've grown into, yet many too grafted in. Paul writes to not boast over those branches whom have broken off because, "You do not support the root, but the roots support you." He then goes onto say to not be "arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either." That is true! I am enthralled at what he writes at the end in verse 24. God let's the wild shoots grow into his tree, but even more, He will let the natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree! That is amazing! I only pray that my friends who brought me to the Lord are still walking, and for those who have fallen away will be grafted into the tree growing from the root of God.