In my house right now, my wife and I have a disagreement. Yes, I know it is hard to believe, but we do have disagreements.

We have these bushes in our backyard that are great looking and provide alot of privacy for our backyard. I love them, and so does my wife – that part we agree on. The place we disagree is with the fact that my wife wants me to prune them, cut them way back, because she says they will look much better in the end.

I have reservations. I hate to cut back something that looks so good to me already. I am afraid that they will not grow back and fill in. My wife says, “They will grow back, and even better, so don’t worry.” So now, I am pruning them and cutting them back. It is against my better judgement, but happy wife, happy life.

This week’s passage is from the Gospel of John, Chapter 15:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” – JOHN 15:1-11

As I think about cutting back the bushes, I know I can put my hope in these words from John 15. It is clear from the text that pruning will produce more fruit, or in this case healthier growth for these bushes. But what we are talking about is much more important than my backyard bushes. We are talking about us, followers of Jesus, and our connection to the vine. For us, by staying connected to the vine – Jesus – we will bear much fruit. Love is a fruit. Patience, kindness, gentleness, joy, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control are all fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). These are characteristics of people who are connected to the vine, Jesus. By clearing out, or pruning, some of the unnecessary things in our lives, and staying connected to Him, we can grow more of this kind of fruit.

Maybe you are like my wife, and you see a season of pruning ahead as you are connected to Jesus. Maybe you are already growing, you are changing, and Jesus is making something new and beautiful, something better than what is already there. Or maybe, like me, you wonder if anything good will come of this pruning.

Jesus is not content leaving you where you are. He wants more for you. He wants you to be connected to Him, and through this connection, lead you to new and beautiful growth.

I pray that you – and our bushes – will see this growth and new beauty as well.

As you reflect on your relationships and these words of scripture this week, respond to the following:

1. Are you in a season of pruning (or can you identify what may need pruning in your life)?

2. Is there evidence of fruit in your life? If so, what is already there and growing? What’s missing?

3. What are some practical ways to stay connected and growing in a relationship with Jesus?

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