I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.
John 15:1-2 (CSB)
Prune: to take away anything that is unnecessary and excessive that hinders growth and fruitfulness, in order to increase future growth.
As it pertains to gardening, pruning occurs regularly and is an extremely vital part of plant health. However, the timing of pruning is key. Pruning at the incorrect time will negatively effect the plant's growth. Gardeners have the great responsibility to know what is best for the plant and to prune accordingly.
When we enter into relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, God becomes our Great Gardener.
Jesus is the True Vine, and we are the branches that are created to produce fruit for His glory.
Some pruning happens in winter when the plant is dormant and has stopped growing. It is a time of rest to prepare for the next season of growth.
Similarly, there will be instances when we are at a time of rest in life, and the Great Gardener will determine that it is the perfect time for pruning.
When life is quiet and nothing is happening, God will begin to prune us in order to prepare us for the next season of growth.
While we are still and undistracted, He will remove everything that is unnecessary and excessive.
By doing so, He unweights us from all the dead weight that prevents us from from moving forward in life and purpose.
Some plants are best pruned right after they begin to bloom and look beautiful.
The Great Gardener in His omniscience, will sometimes choose to prune us right after something great has been birthed in our lives.
Just as the dream, relationship, goal, or aspiration is taking shape and blossoming, into all we hoped it would be; God begins to remove what is excessive and unnecessary.
In both instances, the timing is perfect.
No one knows the perfected timing of pruning better than the gardener.
We have a gardener that knows all, sees all, and is greatly invested in our fruitfulness.
When we are engrafted into the True Vine, our Great Gardener will ensure that we are fruitful beyond measure.
We may not always understand the timing of God's pruning, but we can always trust it.
His intentions toward us are pure and His heart is overflowing with compassion for us.
God in His infinite wisdom and care for us, removes everything that hinders our growth.
Let our perspective of pruning always be that of praise and thanksgiving.
Praise for the opportunity to be connected, and not just attached to the True Vine.
Thanksgiving for the fruitfulness that comes from the faithful and trustworthy hand of our Great Gardener.
Pruning is the blessing we may not always want, but will always need.
It is an invaluable blessing that results in a stronger, more fruitful branch in the True Vine.
A branch that has been lovingly pruned to produce.
For Reflection:
1. Do I trust God to be the Great Gardener in my life?
2. Are there areas that I recognize as unnecessary, and excessive in my life, that are hindering my growth?
3. How do I value fruitfulness?
4. What is my perspective of pruning?
Scriptures:
John 15: 1-2
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