Pruning involves cutting away not only unproductive branches but also good branches. My head knows that a good pruning will increase a crop – in abundance and quality. What I found was that my heart struggled with cutting a branch that had even the earliest signs of new growth. It might be a potential pom! This is a GOOD branch – it will bring fruit, I can’t cut it! Why is this so difficult for me?
I wondered if it's a matter of faith. The opposite of faith, I'm told, is not doubt, but sight. The struggle of what I see before me - a good and healthy branch - does battle with what I cannot yet see - a better and bigger crop.
In the end, I did cut some branches - even some big, healthy branches. But far too few, I'm afraid. It makes me wonder what good branches in my own life I’m reluctant to cut. Is there something in my life, even something good, that needs to be removed? Do I have the courage to let go of the good to make room for the great?
This is the season of lent and there is talk all around of "giving things up." These things we choose to do without need not be bad things – or bad for us. If it's something bad, shouldn’t we be giving those up anyway?
Maybe we need to prune some good things so that God can bring great things – or a greater crop. I want to yield to the master Vinedresser to allow Him to cut what needs to go - in order to make room for new growth.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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 15:1-2
How are you being pruned?
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