Day 19 - That close to Mexico

Well, I am headed down State Route 9 in New Mexico and from the map it looks like I can see Mexico for much of my ride. Until I reach the most western section of Texas on Monday, going through El Paso, Rte. 9 goes right along the border. I have been told by some that is a rather dangerous section to travel along but I do not know first hand. The weather here is sunny with a high of around 84 degrees. The ride today took us just past Columbus, New Mexico. Columbus is a town of almost 1700 people, just north of the Mexican Border. It has an interesting tidbit of history behind it. In 1906 the Mexican revolutionary, Pancho Villa came over the border on March 9 and attacked the town with 500 followers. He killed 18 Americans, burned the town and took the livestock. American General John Pershing, along with 6000 troops, airplanes and motorized vihicles marched into Mexico pursuing Villa. But in 11 months time was never able to capture the famous revolutionary. Villa was later assassinated in 1923. It all began in Columbus, New Mexico.
Today's ride seemed to be a struggle but I averaged an excellent speed. I went 40.5 miles in exactly 2 hours for an average of 20.2 mph. So I do not know why I felt as though I had struggled a bit. Had a lot of things going through my mind this morning as I rode. The fact that I would be riding so close to Mexico made me think about that. It was neat to think about the history behind Columbus. I thought a lot about different people at our church and in my life that are going through so much right now, so I spent some time on the seat just praying as I rode along.
Then again I have been thinking again about John 15. It is amazing that in verse 2 He says, "and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." I used to do landscaping so I can very much identify with the concept of pruning and the reason for why it is done. But just suffice it to say that pruning is always done for the good of the tree. To keep it healthy or so that it will produce more fruit if a fruit tree or to get rid of branches that could rub and promote disease or to just to get rid of dead, dying or diseased branches, are all reasons to prune. But in this case, He gives only one reason, to produce more fruit. The thing I think about so much here is not that He prunes but think about the One doing the pruning. When I prune I miss branches that need it or make some wrong choices as to the branch that needs pruned. But God is the perfect vinedresser. His pruning job is the perfect pruning job. When He removes a diseased or dying branch He never prunes off the wrong one and He always knows just the exact spot to prune to prune to promote the most new growth. For his vine, the Lord Jesus, has lots of branches; some are totally removed and taken away to be burned, but some of His branched are pruned at just the right spot and produce more fruit. In your life "in Christ" as a branch, what production do you see? If it isn't much, the gardener is a coming and he has His lopers and pruners and shears and pruning saw in hand. But don't worry, He is a "master" at pruning. The produce will demonstrate that.