Pruning

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." John 15v1-2

I feel that God has been taking me through a time of pruning, and it's not a fun experience.

The only plants I think of when I think about pruning are roses and fruit trees - both important plants because of what they produce - incredible beauty and delicious food.  When a plant is being pruned an ignorant observer might think the plant is being destroyed.  The end result is no more than a bunch of dry looking sticks.  No beauty and certainly no fruit is visible, and it seems doubtful to the inexperienced eye that there will ever be flowers or fruit again from this plant.

But a wise and experienced gardener knows that pruning is vital to the health of roses and fruit trees.  I did some research into pruning roses and I've learned that if you don't prune them what happens is the rose bush gets taller and taller, some of the branches die and remain all tangled at the bottom of the bush, and at best all you get is a few flowers right at the top.  The flowers at the top will not be good quality because they are far from the roots and food supply, and the plant will be more susceptable to disease and infestation.  See where this is going? :)

I've learned that when one branch of a rose bush is pruned, at least two new ones grow in it's place.  Roses flower best on new shoots.  The flowers are bigger, prettier, and there are more of them on a plant that has been pruned and the plant will be generally healthier.

What does it look like when God prunes us?  Probably very different for each of us, but for me recently God has been removing personal and ministry support structures and as a result I have had a few months where I've not been very productive in terms of relationships or work.  And I've hated it because the thinks I value most in life are vibrant relationships and fulfilling work.  But finally I have surrendered to God's secateurs.  The result is that I'm missing some branches, and I've been feeling like life will never be fun again.  

John ch 15 and the humble rose bush have encouraged me.  I love that it's the branches that do bear fruit that God prunes.  And I love that for every branch pruned, at least two new shoots grow in it's place.  I love that pruning improves the quality of the flowers because they are produced closer to the roots and food source.  


So Father I'm looking forward to a closer walk with you, new opportunities, and a character that is more beautiful and fruitful for You and Your Kingdom.  And I hope this might encourage someone else who feels they are losing branches.  Amen