Can You Stand to Be Pruned?
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” John 15:5
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Northern California to visit Napa Valley. By far, this was one of the most beautiful vineyards that I’d seen up close and personal. I had the opportunity to walk through the vineyards, capture photos and listen to a trained sommelier (pronounced “suh muhl yei,”) describe various wines in amazing detail: wine theory, wine tasting, and wine service. Some of the vineyards have been in the family business for centuries, while others were startups. No shame in that, we must have a beginning somewhere, right?
One thing that I noticed, the owners took great care in tending to their plants. This care involves the process of pruning. To prune means to cut off or cut back parts for better shape or more fruitful growth. Regardless of the region where vineyards were growing, there had to be a period of pruning. The vineyards, massive or quaint, could not be productive if someone hadn’t taken the time to prune the branches.
Being connected to the vine requires pruning. Jesus said in John 15:2 (ESV) “… and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” This scripture sounds odd, “every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” In the natural, grapevines must be pruned, meaning that the branches have to be cut back closer to the root/nutrition source. If the branch is still bearing fruit, it isn’t cut off completely. However, the further the branch gets away from the vine, more likely than not, the branches fruit growth will be stunted. The branch is cut back to allow to produce more lush fruit.
In the spirit realm, God doesn’t desire to cut us off from Him completely because we have some areas in our life that don’t reflect Him. However, He does desire to perfect us for His glory. The perfecting may come as a chastening for our errant ways, or it may come as an open rebuke from a friend or respected leader.
“Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
Proverbs 27:5-6
When we as Christian women are pruned correctly, our growth can be encouraged to its fullest potential. Are there areas in your life that Can Stand to be Pruned? What is it in you that’s causing your fruit to be lackluster? Do you have unhealthy relationships, toxic habits, a negative disposition; are you haughty in spirit or in laymen’s terms, arrogant?
Branches are sometimes cut back or pruned to allow the fruit to receive more sunlight. What is causing the Light to be dimmed in your life? According to Matthew 5:14, we are called to be the light of the world. If we are not walking in the light, how can we be the light?
Being cut sounds like a terrible thing to do to a plant that you’ve tended to and nourished; however, pruning is not meant as a punishment for the plant, nor is it meant at punishment for us! God is the ultimate vinedresser who prunes the life of everyone who abides in Christ and bears the fruit of Christ. Spiritual pruning enhances spiritual growth by removing whatever inhibits spiritual growth.
God wants us to bear the fruit of Christian character. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (ESV)
Praise God! Because we are all unique, our pruning won’t look the same. He will prune us differently, but it is a process that we must entrust to Him.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be able to stand under the process of Your pruning. I know that you are at work in me. You are energizing, strengthening, and creating in me the longing and the ability to fulfil my purpose for your good pleasure. God, I thank you that I will not grow weary in well doing, for in the right time I will reap a harvest if I do not give up.
