ADVANTAGES OF PRUNING

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Songs of Solomon 3 - 6

The reason why many of us are operating below our abilities is because we don’t like stress. Meanwhile, it is the stress in the catapult that pushes the stone forward. A lot are where they don’t want to be simply because they cannot endure discomfort. What is hindering many of us from making progress is because we don’t to leave our comfort zones. There maybe one or two reading this devotional who can’t endure hunger, a lot cannot fast from 12am to 3pm, yet they want to command mountains to move. There are some mountains that will not move except you fast. You can decree as much as you want, you can bind, loose, cast away, etc. Unless you fast, they will not move.  When the disciples of Jesus asked Him why they were unsuccessful in casting out a demon, He told them: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21).” To pass an exam in flying color, one would need to subject himself to a bit of discomfort e.g. the fellow would need to read at night while everyone is sleeping. 

To become who God has created you to be, you must be ready to endure pain. In John 15, Jesus told His disciples that for them to become fruitful, the Father needs to prune them. Pruning in Agricultural Science, basically involves the removal of a part of plant, bush or tree in other to improve it. There are one or two things we need to know about pruning. Firstly, pruning improves the health of the trees. When you remove the dead or dying branches, the plant put its energy into new growth instead of directing it to the dead branches. Secondly, it protects the branch structure. Each cut will stop the plants growth in one direction and redirect it in another, guiding the shape and size of the plant. Thirdly, it prevents the spread of disease. By removing dead or damaged branches will decrease the chance of disease entering through the dead wood and spreading throughout the plant. Fourthly, if done properly, it can improve the size and quantity of crop. Fifthly, it improves air circulation and allow light to reach inner and lower leaves. It is important to thin dense growth periodically to improve overall shape and health. Pruning is advantageous to the plant but it is painful and it involves a lot of cutting.

Just as advantageous, pruning is to the plant, so also is pruning to our lives. Pruning adds value to our lives. Once the unproductive parts of our life have been cut off, our value will increase. Pruning refines us. Pruning creates growth and causes us to bear more fruit. When the Lord prunes, it can be very feel very painful, merciless and at times wasteful. He trims away what is harmful and bad for us, especially bad habits and ways of doing things. Pruning will lead to change and an average man or women don’t like change. For you and I to be pruned, we must learn to endure discomfort and pain. 

NOTE:  No pain, No gain. 

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.