Pruning

Pruning

Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2

We don’t talk about this enough. Pruning is part of God’s process for growing us, and yet we often fail to recognize it when it’s happening.

Jesus’ disciples understood pruning, and if you’ve ever spent time working in a garden or vineyard, you do too.

Pruning is vital for the healthy development of a plant. It cuts back the dead, unproductive parts of the plant and makes room for the more productive parts to thrive. Pruning actually stimulates growth.

Sometimes when things are hard or you feel like you’re struggling in your walk or you’re wondering if the devil is focusing on you, it may actually none of the above. You’re just being pruned. God is cleansing you, refining you and stimulating you to grow.

Remember this: when God prunes you it’s not because you’re not being productive, it’s because you are being productive. Jesus said that his Father prunes those branches that are bearing fruit so they can bear more.

Pruning is a compliment. It means that God likes what he sees in you and he wants to see more of it.

Learn to look for the signs of pruning in your life and in the lives of those in your discipleship circles. Tough days don’t necessarily mean that you’re out of God’s will. They may in fact mean that you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Pruning is a natural part of the discipleship process. Thank God for it.