The True Vine

Promise

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit."

John 15:1-2 CSB

Purpose

In this verse, we see Jesus explain that He is the true vine, while the Father is the gardener. Often the part of this verse that is commonly studied is that any branch not producing fruit is removed by the Father. Today I want to focus on the second part: that every productive branch is pruned so it can continue producing good fruit.

I don't know what comes to mind for you when you think of pruning, but for me, it's a hot day spent in my yard clipping away at my overgrown Oleanders. Usually, after the second bush, I am tired and can become a bit careless, hacking away quickly to get the job done. I silently hope that I won't have completely distorted the Oleander into something unrecognizable and flowerless. Unfortunately, more than once, I've done just that.

I don't fret over it too much, though, because I've pruned this bush for this very reason: it has grown well, produced an overabundance of flowers and growth. It needed pruning because some branches had gotten in the way, were messy, or just not growing well. I know that once it's been pruned, new growth will appear soon. Hopefully, at a different angle, neater and healthier.

That's the image this verse brings to my mind: the pruning of things that have developed, but not necessarily in the best way. Sometimes it's my Oleander; other times, it's bad habits, unhealthy relationships, or a situation that's become too comfortable.

Plan

When we are going through tough times, it can feel like we are under attack, and everything is falling apart. Sometimes we may very well be dealing with a spiritual attack, but today's verse challenges us to look at another possibility.

It's natural to get caught up in the "why me" moments during rough seasons, praying fervently against the circumstances. It's necessary, though, that we take a moment to recognize that what we are going through may very well be a trial from God. He may be pruning us, cutting away destructive behaviors, toxic relationships, and circumstances that have hindered our growth. Requiring us to let go, learn, and regrow.

Remember how I mentioned that I sometimes hack at my Oleander? God isn't hacking away at us, but that doesn't mean the cutting away is comfortable. However, if we are too quick to assume we are under attack and that the enemy is scheming against us, we may miss out on growth, increase, and opportunity God has set before us.

Next time you find yourself in a hard season, take a moment and ask yourself how God may be attempting to prune you and how you can best grow back from it.

Prayer

God, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for loving me just as I am while also loving me too much to leave me how and where I am! I pray, Lord, that you would protect me from any attacks from the enemy and that I would know the difference between his schemes and Your designed pruning to reshape and grow me. Open my heart to know where I need to be pruned, how you want me to grow, and help me to move faithfully in those areas. Amen!