Pruning

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.”

John 15:1,2

We are quite familiar with this beautiful scripture where Jesus speaks a metaphor. We all love the fact that God is our vinedresser and takes care for us but when it comes to the fact that being a vinedresser he prunes us; it is quite hard for us to grasp this fact deep within our hearts. No one likes pruning. No one actually wants to go through the seasons when we are pruned because it is painful.

Change the perspective

Usually when we think about the season of pruning; the only thing that we see is the loss. We need to see the season of pruning with the eyes of our heavenly father.

He prunes us because he loves us

Many people have made a wrong perspective about God. Some think that God does not care while other think that God does not understand our pain. Both of the perspectives are wrong. God do care. He is not someone who is just seated in the Heaven and has nothing to do with any one of us. He is the lover of our soul and he is considered about every detail of our life that even the hair on our head are numbered. He is not numb to our pain. He feels our pain and hear our cry from the heaven. Sometimes he has to allow the pain of pruning to mold us into the perfect shape and structure he had in his mind. He has no bad intentions for us. Scriptures tells us that his good thoughts for each one of us are greater than the number of grains of sand. He prunes us according to his great plan and good thoughts for us.

Have you seen a tree that is not pruned?

Tree that do not undergo the process of pruning is unpleasant to the natural eyes and here I mention some of the reasons to prune the trees (Ref website: https://treecaretips.org/why-prune-your-trees/pruning/)

Reduce risk of failure from dead or weak branches, provide clearance, reduce shade and wind resistance, manage tree health, manage flower or fruit production, improve aesthetics, improve tree structure, save a storm-damaged tree

What happens to a tree that is pruned?

Proper pruning encourages strong growth, increases flower and fruit production, improves plant health, and removes damaged limbs, all which give aesthetic appeal to a tree.

Similarly, it is important for a man to undergo the process of pruning for the increase in fruits and to be healthy (spiritually, physically and mentally).

We need to cooperate

Pruning is sometimes painful and people tend to run out of the pruning. God can not prune us if we do not cooperate with him.

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

Romans 9:20,21

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’

Isaiah 45:9

Father’s heart for all his children in the season of pruning

Life might bring blows that weigh you down. The blows that are unexpected and hard to handle. It seems like Lord has left our side. The journey is not easy. Its hard and painful to let go off everything that you dearly loved, the things that took your inner strength. Those branches that are cut off from the tree were once part of that tree. It is not easy to let go off something that was part of you but it is worth it. It is making you strong. It is making you beautiful and bringing you into perfect plan of God.
I know it has taken your strength but put your eyes on “The NEW THING” that I am doing in you. Let go off that old so that my new thing can be accomplished in you.
The New thing is beautiful. It is perfect.
It is something that you have never imagined. It is perfectly according to my plan.
My Son/Daughter, You are coming out better. You are coming out refined. You are coming out pruned.
The seasons are hard. The life is hard but trust me in these seasons for my everlasting love will not leave you desolated. I know exactly what I am removing. I am removing it for your good. It is for your better future (Read Jeremiah 29:11).
I am just not your redeemer. I am just not your savior. I am your father too.
I know what is best for you. All I now need is you to trust me in it.

Prayer: Dear heavenly father, forgive me if I have not seen the season of pruning correctly. If I have perceived everything wrong. Lord, I pray that give me your eyes to see everything the way you see. I pray for grace and protection over me as I walk this season. Let your strength be made perfect in me. In Jesus name, Amen

Maybe you are reading this and never knew about the Lord who is a compassionate and loving father who discipline and cleanses us; want to give your life to him; Read this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart and forgive my sins. I receive you as my savior who died and was resurrected for me. Come and do what you want to do in my life. I surrender my heart, mind, and soul to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13:20-21)