Day 4: Are you ready for pruning?

The Picture

The Verse John 15: 1-2

I am the vine and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

The Thought

At this time of year, gardeners are starting to clear up all the dead winter wood and plants out of their gardens to make room for new growth. Plants and gardens need a lot of care and attention, and need to be tended to regularly by a gardener so that they don’t become unruly and tangled.  At different stages of growth, they need to be pruned.  Pruning is the removal of unwanted growth from a plant.  The most common reason for pruning is to give the plant shape and structure which keeps the healthy and ensure a good crop of fruit or flowers.

 My little garden is looking pretty shabby at the moment and I have asked a friend who is a gardener by profession to come and give me a hand clearing it up and preparing it for the summer.

So it is with our faith.  Sometimes we neglect it or we go through a dark, wintery patch and we need some serious pruning and clearing.   We have to remember God has planned our lives and can see the way we will look and the fruit we will bear, so while we feel stripped bare, it is all for the good.  He shapes us so we can grow towards our full potential and bear the fruit of our faith.  He can see what needs to be cut out of our life, what branches are weighing us down and stunting our growth.

It can be painful and we need the support, prayers and love of fellow Christians to help us through. 

How is God shaping you for His service?

The Prayer
Father, we recognise that we sometimes need to be pruned and have parts of our lives cut out because it is preventing us from growing into the shape You want us to be.  Lord, help us accept that You know us and can see our full potential.  Let us trust your pruning and to grow towards Your light.  May we support our friends going through this process as well as accept their love and prayers. Shape me as You would have me grow.