Pruning by my Father the Gardener John 15 & 16

Pruning: a gift with tremendous purpose, although painful at times, but wholly for our good.

John 15: 1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes a so that it will be even more fruitful.”

This scripture paints a beautiful image of the relationships. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, connected to Him in a vital way. The relationship between God the Father, the Gardener, and us, the branches. He tends to us and prunes us.

Definition of Pruning: (verb) “to cut or lop superfluous or undesired parts of a plant (twigs, branches, or roots)”.

Applying this to us our lives may be painful. We my focus on the shears.

Sometimes it goes unseen. Perhaps He steered us away from harmful circumstances that we don’t even know about.

Other times it is very seen and felt. Even in the darkest valleys, God is with you and for you. There is PURPOSE to this pruning.

John 15:2 declares that the purpose behind this pruning is “so that it will be even more fruitful”. HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT? The Lord our God, our Gardener, cares for us with great purpose and love.

Perspective: it may take time to see God’s hand in our past. This can be especially difficult to see as we experience pain, but the Lord is always with us (Romans 8:28). Perhaps there is purpose in our suffering? This is not to say that the suffering and pain is the purpose. But perhaps having experienced the suffering you have you may connect with others similarly struggling. This bond would be impossible if you yourself had not lived through the very trials which you faced and passed through.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33b).

If it were not for this pruning (a, b, c, etc.), I would not be the woman I am today.

I may not understand the pruning, but I trust the Gardener doing the pruning.

Thank you Lord God for walking through each moment with me, for never forsaking the work of Your Hands, and for continuing to refine me as You will it to be.

How have YOU experienced pruning?

Do you see it as a gift that will allow you to bear more fruit?

(Faithfully embracing the belief of John 15:2)

What ways might this understanding of pruning impact your future experiences of hardship?

How might you use this knowledge to encourage a fellow sister in Christ in difficult seasons of life?

May God bless you in your walk with Him today!

Prayerfully and joyfully,

Your sister Kristina