Resistance: Embracing the Prune
John 15:1-4
“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.
The pruning stages in our lives are rarely ever easy or comfortable. Before I get too deep into this, I just want to define prune so that we are on the same page. Prune is to reduce the extent of something by removing unwanted parts — especially to increase fruitfulness and growth. I don’t know about you, but I can think of Facebook and Instagram quotes that I often see about cutting people off or “finding my peace”, but when it is time for God to do those things for us… we resist. So, what does that say about us?
We say that we want to strengthen our relationship with Christ… so that is when God starts to prune. He tries to get you to end certain relationships that will hold you back from Him… or maybe He starts stirring in your heart to forgive a certain friend; or maybe even leave a comfortable position and step out with trust that He will provide, but then resistance happens. To say we want to grow in our relationships with Christ but not to embrace the pruning season, we only fool ourselves. Now, this is not saying that this season is one that we are super excited about or that is super easy, but if we are able to grow closer to the Father, then it is very worth it. So again, what does this say about us? If we try and control everything, including the pruning seasons it seems like we are saying that God’s plan isn’t really good enough. Or, we may even be saying “God you’re good… but I don’t trust You”. We usually aren’t saying those things with our lips, but definitely saying it with our hearts.
Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light on my path.” When God starts to prune and cut off those things or people from our lives, He doesn’t say that we will see everything He has planned, but we have enough to see the next step.
John 15:7 says if we remain in Him and His Word in us— ask whatever we want, and it is done. Let’s ask for discernment, peace, and strength to embrace the prune.
