You’re quick; you already know where I’m going with this. But, let’s develop the analogy anyway.
As a fruitful vine, there are times in your life, when you need some pruning. It’s a good idea to do it annually, prior to Passover, just as the grapes are pruned in very early spring just before the buds appear. You need to examine your life and think about what direction your life is taking, just as Ron carefully considers each branch. Pruning is not a quick job. It requires thought and consideration of the consequences of cutting one branch over another. Similarly, examination of yourself is not a quick thing. You can’t just say, “O.K. I know I’m a sinner; thank you for saving me, God”, and then blithely go on your way. You have some work to do to consider which activities, thoughts, plans, dreams, occupations are growing in an unfruitful manner. Some activities are rubbing with others and causing a weak spot. Some activities are too close to others; you don’t have enough room to grow (like maybe being over-committed?). Some activities just have no life in them; they are a complete waste of time - and you know it. Perhaps, there are activities which are not sinful; they are just not the most beneficial for you. It gives a different slant to Paul’s assertion that “all things are permission, but not all things are profitable.”
But it’s so hard to prune those branches off the grape vines. They look so healthy! Still, I know that the end result is a healthier plant, which leads to better fruit production. Likewise, you know that careful consideration of your life, and judicious pruning, will make for a healthier you. So you submit to the pruning work of the Father, through the Holy Spirit, in your life. You have the free-will to say, “No, I want to grow that direction,” just as I have the freedom to say to Ron, “Do you have to cut that branch? It looks so good.” But Ron has a degree in horticulture; he knows what he’s doing. I am just the uneducated observer. Just so, God knows what needs to be pruned, even if we think it’s too much and don’t want to let go. It’s much better to submit to the will of the Master Pruner.
Again, the goal is a healthier plant and a healthier disciple of Christ, with the added benefit of more pleasing fruit. Ah! Here’s the reward. The pruned and cultivated grapes and blackberries are much larger and more juicy than the ones left to grow untended. Larger, juicier fruits translate into a much better cup of juice. So, what if the submission to God’s pruning in our lives leads to better spiritual fruit, which then leads to a more pleasant cup? We all have a cup that we ourselves must drink. But what if the pruning of our lives can produce a different cup? What if we lop off those branches now and that leads to not having to drink a bitter cup? Can we consider the ramifications of small actions now that will have profound effects in the future?
As difficult as it is, you must take the time to examine your life, to allow the Holy Spirit to cut away the unhealthy activities and thoughts, to prepare you for becoming a more productive follower of the Messiah, a more fruitful vine.
So, have you done any pruning lately?