Pruning Lessons

As I contemplate Jesus' words as John records them in Chapter 15 of John's Gospel, I recall the grape fields in California that surrounded the town we lived in years ago. I was amazed at how far back the workers pruned the plants and then saw the result at harvest time. Sometimes they had to dig up plants that were not producing the right kind of or enough grapes.

I know God has pruned me in the past. I have had "cutting" experiences. They were painful. But I found a more abundant life afterward. Now I face A.L.S. Disease. I know God did not cause this disease, but he may be pruning me with it. I have become over the years self-sufficient, self-reliant. Now I have to rely on help from my wife, to do things I used to do without thinking, like buttoning a top shirt button. Our older son visits us every month. On each visit, he does house chores I used to do. I pray I can do them again. What could God be teaching me? It seems that He is telling me I cannot be self-sufficient or self-reliant. I must trust Him to do the things I cannot do with the work of others. I cannot do it all. So I rely on those around me now, my family, my friends, my lay people, my branch of grapes. Yes, God has pruned me and I am learning. No branch can bear fruit by itself. I expect to bear more fruit as a result, by relying on the Vine. I have learned that by working with other churches and pastors in our Cluster, and by working with the Holy Spirit, we can all bear more fruit. No one church can do the work of God in a county. We must remain close together on the Vine to do the work God has for us.

As verse 9 says, Jesus loves me. This I know, by my experience. As V. 16 says, I chose you and appointed you. This I know, by my experience. Along the trail, God has encouraged me and guided me in my devotion time. Recently, He provided me with what I consider to be a significant medical miracle. This tells me He wants me to stay alive, not be cut off, so I can continue to be productive, in fact more productive. So I know this. As God prunes us, He shows us his loving care and direction. Let us be thankful for this loving pruning so that we may bear much fruit for His glory.

Bro. Frank, a grape in the bunch