Beginning: His Pruning

Jesus says in John 15:1-2 NLT, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

This past weekend, a friend reminded me that God never prunes us just to cut us up. He prunes us so that we will produce more fruit. This is a kingdom principle that we can rely on.

All of God’s discipline is for the purpose of maturing us to be more like him: free and holy.

The thing about pruning and discipline is that it is usually painful. God cuts away the mindsets and patterns that led to deception and destruction to make room for fruit to grow.

The thing about fruit is that it takes time to be produced. We have to abide in the vine and wait for the fruit to be produced. Holiness actually does not happen overnight. It is a lifelong journey of refinement only possible through the grace of God and the power of his Holy Spirit.

So if the bad news is that producing fruit comes through pain and patience, the good news is that those who abide in the vine will produce fruit. God will not overlook a single branch. You will become a fruitful extension of the vine when you choose to abide.

While the beginnings are difficult and the process often feels like you are dying (indeed, we are to be crucified with Christ), the reward outweighs the cost. It is not even close to proportional. The glory of freedom and connection with God far outshines the pain of surrender. Jesus desires us to have life! He said in John 15:11 NLT,  “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

Will you lean into this joy-filled journey today? Choose to abide in the vine today and welcome the gardener's pruning. There is nothing to lose in this journey of surrender that does not lead to greater gain.

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