Pruned

I am no gardener - in fact, as my children will readily tell you, I usually kill any plants that enter our home. It is amazing that I am able to grow the flowers in our front yard. I enjoy the flowers and I love the vegetables that come out of the garden, I'm just terrible at remembering to do certain things like water the plants, pull the weeds, etc. Just a few minor details, right? I'm pretty sure it's the whole ADD thing - "oooohhh, something shiny...!" It is a challenge for me, but one I'm getting better at - if my little flower plot goes well this year, I may even branch out to a small vegetable garden next year.

Last night at our Wednesday night service, the message was based out of John 15. Jesus says, "I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser." Somehow, I don't think Jesus or God the Father struggle with ADD. In fact I know they don't. Later in verse 2 Jesus says, "and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." God doesn't forget to take care of us. Sometimes I think that maybe He might take a break once in a while from the whole pruning thing, ya know? I've been pondering what it means to be pruned. Well, the amplified uses the word "cleanse" as well. I also know that when we prune a shrub or tree, something usually ends up getting cut off. I think it's a painful process at times. I can feel God pruning me this week - cutting off pieces of me that don't profit me - pieces that don't aid in producing good fruit. They are things like selfishness, idleness, laziness, feelings of complacency, mediocrity. God is proud of His garden - He wants it to be it's absolute best. This is why He is constantly working with us, pruning us back, watering us with His word and His Spirit.

Weeding out these unwanted characteristics in my life hurts. Especially those weeds that go down deep - the ones I've been ignoring for quite a while, hoping they'll just disappear by themselves. The temptation for me is to turn my heart away - to give God the cold shoulder for hurting me. But you know, that's no good. I can't live that way - I need Him too much. So Father, please be gentle in this process, but use the sharp clippers please - make everything clean and precise. Heal these spots where You have done Your work - I don't want them to grow back. Reach down and change me, mold me, shape me. Help me to continue to bear good fruit - fruit that will remain.