What is God pruning away?

15May
"He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit...Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me...My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." 
- John 15:2, 4, 8

When my father died many years ago, a very dear family gave me a sasanqua to plant in his memory. It was young and green, full and blooming. It was beautiful and I planted it in my front yard in a bed of rich garden soil. I cared for it over the years and made sure it had water. I enjoyed watching it mature. When the day came to move, I decided to take it with me. It was hard to dig it up as its roots had spread and it was solidly grounded. After many attempts to dig deeper and wider, to rock the plant back and forth to loosen it from the ground, I finally had it uprooted. I took it to my new home and transplanted it in the garden near my front door. I wanted it close to me, where I could see it going in and coming out. I cared for it in its new location. I watched it struggle to lay its roots in new ground and seek a new water supply. It did not survive and I was devastated. Should I have left it where it was thriving? Was I selfish to disturb it with a move? What I came to realize in time was that I needed to move through another stage of mourning my father's death.

What is it that you need to let go of? What is God pruning away? This usually involves change, to remove what is withering, be transplanted and discover renewal. We cannot do this alone. And the promise is abundant life with Him. How can that life be grown? I imagine it is through service first to God in our worship and support of the church, then to others through working with those in need, and finally to ourselves in our personal prayer life and study of scripture. This proves fruitful for growing God's kingdom and living a dynamic life as one of Jesus' disciples.

Musical Reflection - Rascal Flatts - I'm Movin' On

Gracious and loving God. Thank you for providing the nourishing vine for our growth. Help us to glorify you with bountiful fruit and living a life of true discipleship. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
New TestamentRenewal
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#change #renewal #growth

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