Scripture for Today: John 15:1-2 “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.”
Did you know that grapevines “bleed?” At the very site of a pruning cut in the wood, the sap will gently seep, sometimes up to two weeks. After being dormant all winter, it is the first sign of a vineyard reawakening. It is no cause for concern and can even help the vine. The process can push out trapped air bubbles avoiding interrupted water flow later in the season. Calling this process, “bleeding,” almost makes me think that pruning might be painful for that vine!
Our verse for today describes our dependent relationship with the Father and Son. We bear fruit when we are connected to Him just as branches do connected to the vine. There are seasons when it does not look like much is happening. But God, our Gardener, does everything to make us fruitful, all in His perfect timing. He knows when to start and when to stop. He knows just how far back He needs to cut. Pruning can seem drastic and losing sap through the “open wound” can seem counter-productive. But He knows what He is doing, using the hard times in our lives to make us even more fruitful.
There are times I know I am “bleeding” and it hurts. It is especially in those times of transition and change that I can feel those shears working on me. But I can trust the hands of my Gardener. He will not put me through more than I can bear (I Cor. 10:13).
Lord, make me fruitful for You, even if it hurts.
Devotions By Jan 