The Power (and Pain) of Pruning

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I guess none of us want to be on the receiving side of pruning... it's just not fun! We often don't understand why the Lord is pruning us (or a church body), and it is very easy to try to come up with our own solutions that remedy the hurt of pruning.

John 15:1-2 (NASB) "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. [2] "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.

Pruning is a GOOD thing... it is a sign that we ARE bearing fruit! But the Lord does not just want fruit, he wants EXCELLENT fruit.

As we were reminded last night at church, a rose bush that is not pruned regularly does not produce quality roses. The canes are spindly, the leaves are small and not able to nourish the plant very well, the roses only have a few petals which open quickly and then are spent in a short while. Only through pruning can a gardener produce quality rose bushes and thus beautiful roses.

Snip, snip! The Master Vinedresser cuts things from our lives that don't need to be there. Sometimes it might be a person or persons; sometimes it may be an activity which of itself is not wrong but is causing distraction from the Lord's perfect purpose and plan for your life. Sometimes it might be a needed change in your priorities, that they may better line up with His will for you.

Regardless of the reason, pruning hurts (especially when the Lord prunes people from your life or church family). The love of others (especially church family) is very deep, so when they are pruned there is a type of mourning that must take place. You naturally feel very concerned for those you love and you miss their presence.

When church programs and activities are pruned we want to figure out a "plan B". "Surely there is some other way!", we think. Why is it so difficult to believe that He really knows what He is doing and has nothing but good for us?

BUT... during these times we must trust in the Vinedresser... He DOES indeed know what is best for us and for a church. When direction is given that we have strayed from the chosen path and must return to the original purpose and vision we will be blessed if we obey (even though it may be painful to do it). Snip, snip!

Jeremiah 6:16 (NASB) Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you shall find rest for your souls.

Lord, we surrender all things to Your wisdom as the Master... prune those things that are not in keeping with Your perfect will... Thy will be done!

Kat