Who knew tree
pruning could be so intense. Two hours
of using a pole saw/ pruner extended from 7 to 15 feet left me tired, and sweat
wet in my clothes. Yuck! It felt good to
clean up. Anyway, the work is done and
the tree branches are no longer hitting the cars as we drive or obstructing our
view from the house. Much better. It wasn’t exactly how I wanted to spend my
afternoon, but it was necessary. As I write,
my son is dragging the limbs to the pile at the back of the yard to clean up
the mess.
The branches
were healthy, most of them had leaves, and some of them were even new
growth. The problem was they grew too
low and interfered with our daily living.
It makes me think about how the Lord prunes us back. Until now I always thought of it as pruning
dead or unfruitful branches, but maybe there are times we have new growth or other
growth that interferes with His best for us which also needs to be
removed. We must assume that if the Lord
wants it pruned then there is good reason that it should be pruned.
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 one that
bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are
clean through the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so
neither can you unless you abide in Me.
I am the Vine, you are the branches. He
who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without
Me you can do nothing. Jh. 15:1-5
Jesus Christ
is the Vine that we ‘grow’ out of, and the Father is the one who prunes
us. If a branch does not produce fruit,
it is cut off. Every branch that
produces fruit is pruned back so it will produce more fruit. Pruning is not comfortable or pleasant, but
it is necessary. The Lord cuts off that
which will hinder our fruitfulness even if we
think it’s good, special, of healthy. He
always knows best because He knows all from beginning to end.
Oh Lord,
really? Do I need more difficulties in
my life? Can’t I ever get a break? Well, not if more pruning is needed. He wants the best for us and if something
needs to be taken out of the way Lord, You have my permission to do so! For actual vines, pruning maintains health,
shape, productivity and size of fruit.
It also allows sunlight penetration and better air circulation that is
vital for flavour development in fruit, keeps the bad flavours out and prevents
mildew, rot and pests. Perhaps the Lord
is pruning us for the same (or similar) benefits.
I guess what
I am wondering today is how many things in my life need pruning that I’ve
thought are good growth but are not productive in the way God wants them to
be. How many things are interfering with
my vision? How many things look good but
hinder my walk? In the end, I am
grateful Yahweh cares enough to tend to us.
He makes sure we have the best Light and wind blowing (Spirit) for our
health and growth. How amazing that the
Creator of the Universe cares enough to work with us in such a personal level.
Thank You oh Lord of Glory. You reign forevermore!