By: Lynda Shadel
The paths we walk in the woods occasionally need to be pruned. Every once in a while, I will take along my pruners to clear the branches that are small enough for me to cut. Sometimes my husband comes along with his chainsaw to cut and clear the trees that are blocking the path. Some will grow back, but those blocking the path are discarded.
Jesus used the illustration of pruning the vine with God being the gardener. There are two types of pruning: (1) cutting off the unproductive branches—those that do not bear fruit—and (2) trimming the fruitful branches—those that need rest to promote stronger growth. Am I bearing fruit, or am I in danger of being cut off as unproductive?
John 15:1-2 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t bear fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”