“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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. – John 15:1-2
There is a spiritual principle not to overlook here. If we are indeed to be connected to the one true vine, we are to produce good fruit. Yet this is not our doing or initiation but because one cannot be connected to Him without producing blessings to others. Just as water passes through the vine before the branch, so do the works of God. He initiates and we are to simply be open to their movement within us. When we hear the Spirit’s prompting in our hearts and fail to express them, we are severing ourselves from the vine. However, when we do let His work move through us, we gather more attention from the vinedresser who crafts us to be even more effective.
To prune signifies a endearing and intentional care for the branch. This has the connotation of a style of care that shapes the branch into the image of the vine. A branch needs pruned to be productive and strong. If left alone, it will grow wild, abandoned, and aimless. The greatest gift our Lord can give is the opportunity to become more like Him. This means a surrendered heart willing to take pruning and move with the inner promptings of our Lord.
Lord, thank you for being my life source. May I tune my heart to your prompting and pruning. Shape me as you wish and may my fruit be pleasing to you
Matt simon blog 