News from Girls’ Brigade International (GBI)

Check out the updated website here.

Find out about the 3 keys areas of keeping Girls’ Brigade relevant that GBI has commenced this year – ADVOCACY; CAPACITY BUILDING/LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT; RESOURCE MOBILIZATION. GBI END OF YEAR 2023 CIRCULAR

Chaplain’s Chat

I’m sure on previous occasions I’ve spoken about the incredible mulberry tree I have growing in my backyard. I inherited it (as I rent and it was a small tree when I arrived). Over the years it has continued to grow and thrive. And part of my responsibility is to ensure it receives a proper trim in order for new growth to take place – for that’s where the mulberries develop.

Unfortunately I was not able to get the tree trimmed last year and as I look out my back door I see this crazy, out of control green mass of a tree. The leaves may look healthy and it spreads across the back of my yard (and even to the neighbours), it’s not bearing fruit and so in reality I can tell it’s not healthy.

In order for any fruit to be produced I will need to have someone come and give my beloved tree a very severe cut back, to the point that it will look very bare. And being late in the season I may have already missed the window of opportunity to get any fruit production later this year.

John 15 Jesus speaks about us being like trees and vines, designed to grow, producing fruit. He begins in verse 1 and 2 with, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. …”

This is the way of being a disciple, we need to keep being pruned by the loving gardener, the Creator of life, in order to bear more fruit.

What are the aspects of your life that hinders you from growing in Jesus? God wants to cut them out of your life. Even the things that do help – how can God remould us, prune and reshape us to be more productive. Like my mulberry tree – it looks healthy, big, impressive, but in reality, if it’s not producing fruit its not fulfilling its true potential.

I know pruning can be painful, but as one who wants to be a fruitful follower of Jesus, a disciple, I need to experience the letting go of all that hinders my growth – so that I might run the race (c.f. Hebrews 12:1) that is before me – bearing fruit that makes a difference to others and glorifies the Creator.

God Bless

Cheryl