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 ^“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2-3 (ESV)

Warm sunshine on a Sunday afternoon sent me outside to prune my ever-growing rose bush.  And what a job it was.  I had no idea how strategic I needed to be in order to ensure the best shaping of all those branches for next Spring’s blooming.  Not only did I need to concentrate, but I also needed to be precise in what I cut.

As I got up close and entangled in all those branches from my rose bush, I was able to see things I would have otherwise overlooked. Nestled in the far back of the bush were a lot of dead branches.  Ones that would never produce those lavish, fragrant roses I love.  By the time I finished, my bush looked like a hot mess.  My arms had several scratches, and my allergies were totally irritated.  Never knew pruning could be such hard work for the pruner.

Sound familiar?

We’ve probably all read the story of the true vine (John 15) – Jesus who is our true vine.  The one we need to stay connected to and the one who empowers us branches to bear fruit. He alone is our direct connection to God and without Him, we can do absolutely nothing.  And His Father (God) is the vinedresser. The one who cultivates and prunes our branches with one goal in mind.  Not to inflict pain, although pruning usually involves discomfort.   God’s delight, His glory, is found when we bear much fruit.

Keeping it real here but I usually tend to focus on me, the branch, in this scenario.  I’m the one with all the cutting away of things I’ve cherished.  Even though it didn’t serve me well, it was ever so hard to see those things go.  I’m the one whose fruit was painfully pruned so I could bear much more fruit.  I loved the fruit I bore – I really didn’t want more…..comfortable with self.

Making it all about me was never God’s intent.

When I remove my eyes from me and see me from God’s perspective – the story takes a drastic turn.  Wonder what it feels like to God, my Father, who longs for me to glorify Him when I settle for less?  While I may think He enjoys all that cutting and pruning, I’m sure it grieves His heart to see my pain. Yet God knows what truly serves me best….we will thrive when we are heavily pruned.  End result, the removing surrendered in God’s hands sets the stage for abundant fruit.

Sweet friends, instead of resisting pruning let’s choose to welcome the removal of all things stunting our growth.  Let’s embrace God’s strategic plans for fruit in abundance.  Let’s not focus on “us” but rather glimpse the heart of our God who loves us so much He can’t leave us the same.

“Father, while I may not enjoy the cutting away and pruning of my heart, I know I can trust You to cultivate within me a life that truly glorifies You.”
For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life