Last weekend was tree trimming time! We have nine trees in our yard, five of them fairly large; all with a mind of their own. I love the trees. I love when they are covered with new spring growth, when they return to their natural colors for a few weeks in the fall, and when their branches are kissed with snow. What I don’t love is hitting my head on the low branches when I am on the tractor mowing. And this is why last week was trimming time.
I knew that we needed to get it done before fall. And while winter is actually the best time to prune trees, there was no way I was tackling this job in the cold and unpredictable winters of Pennsylvania. My husband and I spent six hours outside working. Carefully looking at each tree to determine which limbs needed to go and then dragging the cut limbs to a holding spot to be cut up later. Tree pruning is critical to promoting new growth. When you remove struggling or dead branches, your tree dedicates more resources (water and nutrients) to other parts of the tree making it healthier. Also, dead limbs can be hosts for diseases; removing the dead limbs protects the entire tree from outside influences that could weaken or destroy it.
As God often does, amidst aching arms and legs, He reminded me of why pruning is important not just in nature, but in our lives. In John Chapter 15, Jesus is in the Upper Room with His disciples, preparing them for his departure. He is preparing them for how they must live in His absence.
In John 15:1-6, Jesus says, “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 you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
In this passage, Jesus is using an illustration his disciples would well understand. Growing grapes was widespread in Palestine, the disciples likely walked through vineyards often on their travels. They would understand that branches that do not produce fruit are useless and removed. Branches that bear grapes are pruned so they may be even more fruitful. In the passage, Jesus implies that the disciples were among the fruitful; he pronounced them already clean (the Greek word for clean is the same word used for prune).
The fruitless branches represent professing believers whose connection to Jesus is superficial. Perhaps those who knew the law but didn’t live a life for God. Who knew how to pontificate prayers in public forums but spent no time in quiet humility with God. Or maybe, used their faith as a means for power or notoriety. Whatever it may be, superficial believers do not bring honor or glory to God. And they have no place in our lives.
We need to regularly look at ourselves and our lives. As we grow in our faith, we must prune ourselves. What dead branches are in our behaviors that open us up to disease and dishonor? Do we trade Bible time for scrolling time? Do we trade grace for grudges? Do we extend mercy or judgement? Do we hide behind our faith, or do we step boldly out in it, proclaiming the glory of the Father? Pruning must start with us. We must prepare ourselves to be used by Holy Spirit and Jesus. Fruit does not come from dead branches. You cannot put forth beauty from ugliness.
Pruning also extends to who you allow into your life. One of the hardest parts of growing in faith, in my opinion, is realizing that some people are not contributing to your journey in Jesus. Friendships that you’ve had for years may need to be pruned from your life. When this happens, there is often judgement from those with whom we no longer have much in common. We may feel guilt. We may be accused of thinking we are “better than.” But the hard truth is that if someone is distracting you from Jesus or encouraging behaviors that you know do not honor the Father, it is time for pruning.
We still love those individuals as Jesus commands us to do. We can pray for them. We can be friendly. But we may have to limit or eliminate the time we spend in close association. That’s not arrogant or exclusionary. That is choosing to live a life that honors Jesus and to commit to be in union with believers who, like you, wish to bear fruit. And any guilt or shame that you feel is from the enemy. Because he would much rather keep you distracted and separated from the vine, rather than drawing life from Jesus and bearing fruit in His name.
This week, I encourage you to think about your life. What are you doing that you need to prune? What behaviors might need adjusting? What opportunities are you missing? What choices are you making? And look around you. Are those you associate with encouraging your walk or encouraging your fall?
Jesus is our Vine. He is what allows us to blossom for the Father’s glory. May we grow strong in His love.