As a gardener I initially resisted the act of pruning. Why would I take a healthy, strong part of a plant and cut it off? But I quickly learned that pruning focuses growth. Pruning allows the plant to focus its energy on producing fruit that’s sweeter, juicier and fatter.

Which is exactly what the Lord wants us to become—sweeter, juicier and fatter.

To get there the Lord prunes aspects of our lives, or asks us to take up the shears ourselves. Some things seem obvious for me, like turning off the TV and picking up a book, or forgoing that late evening bowl of ice cream (although it tends to help with “fatter”).

But the Lord cuts deeper. I experienced three organizational restructures in four years where I work. Each restructure moved people I enjoyed away. Each changed the cadence of my work and travel. Each shifted my responsibilities and influence. The last cut away a personal vision for contributing to the mission. I felt pruned to the nub.

Here’s what I often miss—the Lord prunes in order to create energy for better fruit. Out of my pruning surfaced time to reflect and look around. A creativity class popped up in my inbox, I signed up and met a great group of encouraging people, and the idea for a daily blog on Bible reading emerged.

Today I’m serving in a new role—in a different department of the same organization—with refreshed vision and space to roam. I anticipate greater contributions to come, and look to the future with excitement.

After pruning, anticipate greater fruitfulness. Not initially as the cuts heal, but as growth takes off in new, unexpected areas (I think one reason gardeners talk to plants is that we want to remind them that the cutting will lead to wonderful fruit).

I am the true vine, and my Father in 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.

In the midst of the pruning, try to remember the promise of the master gardener. He cuts and discards so that you and I might grow sweeter, juicier and fatter.

John 15 in week forty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Markus Spiske