As usual I’m in my favorite chair looking out the window. As I watch the green leaves on the trees sway in the wind, my mind is drawn to a few branches where the leaves are completely brown.

I’m pondering as to why only a few branches have turned brown while the vast majority of the leaves are fully green.

God has ordained the tree to produce nutrients for the leaves to flourish. But when those leaves have reached its maturation and fulfilled its purpose God will allow the nutrients to slow down so those dead leaves will fall off in preparation for something new.

HMMMM…God is pruning that tree. If God has ordained this process for tress. And because He has a purpose and plan for our lives, the same process can be applied to us. God will allow pruning to happen in our lives. Pruning is not a punishment for Believers; it’s a reward. Spiritual pruning enhances spiritual development by removing whatever inhibits spiritual growth.

Before Jesus went to the cross, He gave a final sermon to His disciples. In the middle of the sermon, He uses a gardening metaphor to describe the importance of growing spiritually and drawing strength from Him—the true vine. Jesus was telling the disciples {and us} that He was setting them apart for a lifestyle of bearing fruit. The fruit would come as a result of God’s intentional pruning. ““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” (John 15:2).

Just like the branches on the tree I’m observing and the branches in Jesus’ story, we’re all unique and our pruning will not look the same or take place at the same time. The pruning process is something we must entrust to God knowing that He knows what’s best for us.

God prunes in order to:

1. Remove What’s Dead or Dying  (Romans 8:10; John 10:10)

2. To Remove What’s Infected or Diseased (Matthew 8:17)

3. To Remove What’s Hindering You (Hebrews 12:1-2)

4. To Keep You Focused (1 Peter 5:8; Romans 8:5)

Pruning isn’t comfortable, but it’s necessary. So don’t resist it, the pain of pruning has a purpose!

PEARLStoPONDER: Your circumstances don’t create what’s in your heart; your circumstances are simply the stage on which the heart’s condition is revealed.

Matthew 11:28-- Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 15:1-11-- “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² 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. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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. ⁶ 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. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.