The Affirmation of Pruning
However, amid the dying, we find an encouragement:
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2).
Pruning is an affirmation of two things. You are attached to the true vine, and you are producing fruit. The requirement to receive God’s painful affection is producing Jesus-dependent, Jesus-exalting deeds. Do you feel the sting of the shears? Rejoice that you are truly His and that He is using you.
After years of pruning, my heart has begun to recognize the hope found in these moments. I really am His!
“Endure discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, of which everyone has partaken, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers, and they corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
“For they indeed disciplined us for a short time according to their own judgment, but He does so for our profit, that we may partake of His holiness. Now no discipline seems to be joyful at the time, but grievous. Yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:7-11, emphasis added).
The shears of discipline still hurt, but for all who welcome it, this pain will yield an invaluable harvest.
I finally pruned my rose bush and rosemary plant this month. I boldly cut each plant to less than half its size, knowing the overgrowth is draining the plant of its ability to thrive. If I hope to enjoy any more fruit from these plants, this is the only way. And like my plants, the removal of my sinful overgrowth is the only path to spiritual health.
Are your circumstances inducing a death in your life? Do you feel the shears? This is your call to recognize that His pruning shears, though painful, are His kindness to you. His loving care. His affirmation that yes, you are a legitimate child of God! Yes, you have brought forth beautiful, faith-filled, Jesus-exalting fruit! Your Father’s goal is to deepen your joy in Him and your fruitfulness for His kingdom through these painful moments. Cling to your only hope, your true life source, your true vine—Jesus. And be content to let everything else be cut away. {eoa}
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett