Be pruned to bear more of fruit

"I am the true vine, and my father is the vine grower. Every branch that is in me and that bears no fruit, he takes away ; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it to bear more fruit" (John 15: 1-2).

Nobody can say that it is nice to be carved. It is not a massage or a facial. It hurts. It hurts, but it's useful, and we have to go through it. In fact, it's a grace to be pruned. It is a grace to be able to be pruned by the Father. If God asks us to change, it is because He wants us to bear more fruit. It's a grace, a privilege. God could leave us as we are, and we would stay at the same stage, but God has something bigger in mind for us. He knows that by pruning us, we can fortify our roots, and raise ourselves ever higher, to the sky. This is why God asks us to change, to make efforts, then to progress. And if we humble ourselves in His presence, then God will give us strength, "He will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

I very often go through these moments of pruning, because God wants to take me further, and he knows that I need it. He knows that if he does not do it, and if I do not let myself go, I will not be able to bear more fruit. It reminds me of one of the two apple trees in my garden. Last summer the apple trees were full of nice big apples. But... a very large branch came off an apple tree under its weight. It was too late, this branch, which could have borne even more fruit and increased, was not strong enough for the fruits it wanted to carry. She was too ambitious and I did not pay attention. I was sorry for a moment to see all this life on the ground, noting that this branch would never wear these beautiful apples ! That is why we must not resist pruning, but let God do his work in us, with a heart that says : "Yes Lord, I accept to change." Seek it today, with all your heart ! Do not resist.

Jeremy Sourdril