Submitting To The Lord's Pruning

Tonight I was thinking about how a trained gardener prunes plants.  To the untrained eye it would look as though the gardener was hurting the plant, but it reality the gardener is actually helping the plant by cutting off dying branches so in the long run it will produce better growth and healthier fruit.

I am reminded that as Christians we are like branches that are connected to a vine which is Christ Himself.  I am reminded of what Jesus says in John 15:1-8 which says,

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
                                                                                                       

2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^aso that it will be even more fruitful.

3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

6 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.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.           

Sometimes the Lord has to prune things out of our lives in order for us to serve Him better.  We can be assured that He is not trying to hurt us by the pruning that takes place even though it may seem unfair and even painful, but in the end that pruning will allow the Lord to produce more fruit in and through our lives for His glory, honor, and praise.

The Lord Loves us with an everlasting love and His desire is for us to grow Spiritually to be more like Jesus each and everyday.  In our own power and work that is impossible, but the Lord will change us through His Holy Spirit if we allow Him.  We must submit to the Lord's will and to His way.  

Sometimes in the local assembly of believers leaders have to make hard choices and sometimes they are called to do some pruning of their own in a way that honors the Lord.  That is not an easy task, but when done it must be done in love and with a humble heart before the Lord.  

We must remember that the Lord Jesus loves us and He wants the very best for us.  He desires us to love Him with all of our hearts, minds, and souls and He wants us to love others as we love ourselves.  He also wants us to bear much fruit for the Lord's glory and we do that by submitting ourselves to His will.

Lord,

I don't like being pruned, but I know it is for the best and for Your glory.

Help me to humble myself before you and submit to Your will no matter what it is.

Produce fruit in and through my life for Your glory.

I praise Your Name and I know You know what is best.

May Your will be done.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen.