Pruning.

I am currently doing a study of John and this week I have been focusing on John 15, specifically where Jesus says that He is the vine, the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches.

[“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 so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

   “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.]

I have read this many times and have even led my campers in a devotional regarding this passage on several different occasions.  But, I have never before been so held up on the concept of God 'pruning' his disciples.  

When I think of what pruning means in the sense of a vine, it means cutting off the dead parts, the areas that are no longer yielding fruit, the areas that are consuming energy and resources but are ultimately not beneficial.  Pruning is a good thing; it improves the condition of the vine so that it may be the most productive.  

But what does this look like when I apply it to my life?

I think pruning in the Christian life guarantees pain.  

It means allowing God to remove the dead and decaying; it means change.  

Studying this passage again forces me to realize the many things that I am holding onto - fighting to hold onto.  There are parts of my life, my character, my goals, my desires that I find myself fearfully grasping onto as if surrendering to God would be an unwise response.

And if I prevent God from 'pruning', I must conclude that I am ultimately hurting the Kingdom and quenching the Spirit.  Because Jesus declared that pruning is necessary to producing more fruit.  I believe that we have been called to be disciples - to do work for the Kingdom.  I desire to help people learn about the greatest thing to ever happen to me.  

And for God to be most glorified, I need to remain in Him and fight for Him.

I desire so much for the sum of my life to declare the work of God.

I long that the more people get to know me, the less of me they will see.

I want Him to increase, but I must decrease.  

So, if cutting away the things that are preventing me from glorifying my Father's name is what is required of me, then I long to be tended by the Gardener.  

Father, remove that which prevents me from bearing fruit.  Continue to cut away until all that remains is You.  Refine me and, though pain and suffering may come, I will still praise Your name.