God is Indescribable - a Master Gardener!

 

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:1-8 ESV).

 

I do not claim to be a gardener, much less a master gardener. My father-in-law certainly was a master horticulturist, having earned his PhD in Plant Genetics and teaching and doing research in the development of many different varieties of vegetables. I do remember a brief lesson in the pruning of grape vines when he was living in Longview, Texas. He had several varieties of grapes growing in his backyard. I learned there is a very specific way to prune in order to create the right growth for maximum fruit yield.

 

I don’t know if there is any pain involved for the vine when the shoots are pruned away, though in the spiritual sense of “pruning” it certainly can be a painful process for us. It can also be a time of frustration with the Gardener for lopping off parts of me without asking for my opinion or permission.

 

Thinking about it a little more, gardeners don’t prune out of anger or frustration. They prune because they want the plant to grow healthier and stronger so that it can bear good fruit. The gardener sees the overall vision of the plant, while the plant can only “see” what’s right in front of them. With that in mind, Jesus’ words here make good sense. Pruning is the way God removes parts of us that are overgrown and not producing. It may mean we have to let go of some comforts, and doing that can remove troublesome distractions in our life. Through pruning we are able to see more clearly who we are and what God has in mind for us, even if that means enduring some pain along the way.

 

Whatever might pain us in the pruning process, it’s the transforming of our heart, mind, and soul that God wants to see, because he wants our fruit to grow—fruit that one day we will be able to share with others for the goodness and glory of our Lord, the master gardener. He won’t make any unnecessary “cuts.” Trust Him!