trimming limbs

John 15:1-11 (English Standard Version)

"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.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

I’ve read this umpteen times, and have covered it in several studies. So I asked God to bring it to life and help me understand it..... and a few hours later I found myself trimming limbs outside.....

My husband is the landscape dude. He takes care of the outside of the house while his (slacker) wife (attempts to) takes care of the inside of the house. He got a much needed pole saw for trimming branches for several trees on our property. I couldn’t let him have all the fun, so after watching him I asked if I could try. A cutting monster was unleashed as I wanted to go to each tree, and take off twigs, branches and limbs that were bearing no fruit.  (Do you see where this is going?)

We have one particular Bradford Pear tree that is mature and beautiful. As I stood underneath it, I looked up and was surprised at what I saw. There in the center of the tree was a bunch of dead wood. Twigs and branches reaching upward, but had no foliage -- no fruit. At first I was trying to figure out if we needed to trim it, how we would, and so forth. But then I was struck with the spiritual implications....

How often do we see people in our life, seemingly mature and beautiful... yet they have dead wood in their heart that needs to be pruned by our Father? And how closely can I relate? Though I put on the good face and many times act like I have it all together, my heart is filled with twigs and branches that are bearing no fruit -- branches of sin that I’ve been hanging onto, rather than submitting to God to let Him prune me.

Growing pains are not fun. I detest the moments and seasons when God has to take the  shears and prune parts in me. They’re painful... uncomfortable... especially when they take place publicly.  But when all is said and done, when we can step back after the pruning is complete, we sigh and marvel at how much better we look and feel (meaning more Christlike). We’re abiding in Jesus... aligning our hearts with His. We are where we’re supposed to be.