He Cuts Things Out

As my climbing roses grow, I find myself carefully tending them more than any other plant in the garden. I prune anything dried or diseased and gently guide the branches towards their trellis.

This morning as I read my Bible, I'm reminded of John 15 where Jesus claims, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Jesus says that he is the vine and we are the branches.

I think about the pruning work of God in my own life. I often forget to see any confusing or painful circumstances as God's pruning work intended to make my life even more fruitful. 

When God cuts something out (a relationship or activity) or redirects my plans, I remember that it's pruning.

It's pruning. That is what's happening to you, and it's a glorious thing.

God knows what must be cut and where we must climb.

Climbing Roses Beginning to Grow 

Climbing Roses, 3 months and Pruned 

________________________
Do you find that God prunes in order to make us more fruitful? I see that in so many relationships and even in my writing!