Bearing Much Fruit

John 15:1-2 ESV
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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.”

Pruning is vital to a healthy plant like full size Azaleas. Not many people like to prune Azaleas because it has to be done at a certain time of the year. That is when the sap is no longer flowing, which in Florida is in the spring after the blooming season.

To maximize growth and more blossoms, pruning has to be done yearly and it involves the right time, the right tool, and the right techniques. No wonder in this verse we leave this important aspect of our lives up to the Father.

For all of us, we are the branches, we do the blooming, we are the pop of the plant, but all of this is not possible without the main source of anointing and power that come through our relationship with Jesus.

From time to time in our lives the vinedresser, the Father, sees that we are capable for so much more. So, He does things that are uncomfortable for us, and He prunes us, or cuts back on the areas that need more attention, because He sees greater possibilities in us.

The cutting away never seems pleasant but the results are amazing. When we look beautiful in our heart and life and we shine for Jesus for the world to see, it draws people to the Lord.

The main infuses is not that we are the pop of the plant, the main infuses is that Jesus shines through us. So, if the uncomfortable stages of our lives bring Him more glory and honor, are we willing to go through the painful processes so He will shine brighter in our lives?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, live in us and through us. As the Father sees fit, trim off the aspects of our lives that are just weighing us down and no longer producing for Your glory. Make us more like You Lord Jesus, Amen!