In every vineyard, a vinedresser prunes the branches so they will produce more fruit. In a spiritual sense, our heavenly Father must deal with us in a similar way at times – by pruning our lives. It isn’t only the dead branches that have to go, but sometimes even the living and vital ones must be cut back so that better and more bountiful fruit may grow.
Many different circumstances may serve as a pruning knife in the hands of the Master Vinedresser. It may be the rejecting gesture, the unkind word, or no word at all. It could be the frustration of living in a constant state of noise and confusion, with daily duties and no chance to find a quiet place to call our own. Or it might be waiting for God to intervene when everything seems hopeless and we have no friends to help us.
But the pruning knife is guided by a loving set of hands. The Master Vinedresser knows what we can take, and He knows what we can become – more loving, joyful, tranquil, tolerant, kind, dependable, gentle, poised – stronger and better than we are today.
We must not shrink from the knife but trust the hand that holds it. Our Father in heaven has a purpose – to produce good fruit in us. – David Roper
The Master is seeking a harvest
In lives He’s redeemed by His blood;
He seeks for the fruit of the Spirit,
And works that will glorify God. – Lehman
READ: John 15:1-11
Fruitbearing +
Pruning = More Fruit