Pauses for Lent Day 38
Pauses for Lent by Trevor Hudson
Word for Day 38: PRUNE
Scripture: “(The Father) removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit.” John 15:2
Pruning helps trees bear healthy fruit. It does not make them look more beautiful, but it does make them more fruitful. Unnecessary branches must be pruned, cut off, so that the tree can produce all the fruit it can.
In his striking image of the vine and the branches, Jesus speaks of how our lives need to be pruned by God. Those parts of our lives that lead us to resist Jesus’ way of love have to be stripped away. This pruning is done directly by the vinedresser, the Father, cutting the branches.
This pruning can occur when we experience difficult times and we are challenged to recognize God’s pruning hand. Only then will we be accepting of God’s cleaning work in our lives instead of resisting it.
Comment from Marie: I love the analogy of Christ being the vine and us being the branches. It is a perfect illustration of how seamlessly connected we are to Christ, and of how the Spiritual nutrients we need flow through the vine to the branches. However, the idea that those branches can be lovingly pruned is scary. As the author points out, pruning often occurs when we experience difficult times and are challenged. Sometimes we have to leave habits, things, places, and even people behind in order to grow and bear fruit. What do you think of today’s word?
Word for Day 38: PRUNE
Scripture: “(The Father) removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit He prunes to make it bear more fruit.” John 15:2
Pruning helps trees bear healthy fruit. It does not make them look more beautiful, but it does make them more fruitful. Unnecessary branches must be pruned, cut off, so that the tree can produce all the fruit it can.
In his striking image of the vine and the branches, Jesus speaks of how our lives need to be pruned by God. Those parts of our lives that lead us to resist Jesus’ way of love have to be stripped away. This pruning is done directly by the vinedresser, the Father, cutting the branches.
This pruning can occur when we experience difficult times and we are challenged to recognize God’s pruning hand. Only then will we be accepting of God’s cleaning work in our lives instead of resisting it.
Comment from Marie: I love the analogy of Christ being the vine and us being the branches. It is a perfect illustration of how seamlessly connected we are to Christ, and of how the Spiritual nutrients we need flow through the vine to the branches. However, the idea that those branches can be lovingly pruned is scary. As the author points out, pruning often occurs when we experience difficult times and are challenged. Sometimes we have to leave habits, things, places, and even people behind in order to grow and bear fruit. What do you think of today’s word?
1 Comment
Today's word was a shock. I think of 'prune' the fruit, not pruning. But both Rev. Hudson's and your words, Marie, are right on target. Prune, as it turns out, is an essential part of our Christian faith.