Pruning Branches

I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.               John 15:5-6


I have always loved these words from Jesus.  "Without Me you can do nothing."  I know how true this is.  I have been re-reading it and studying it, knowing that I need Jesus more and more every day.  I read today about how grapevines are tended.  At harvest, there are branches on a grapevine that grow leaves and seem healthy, but grow no fruit.  Those leaves are tagged.  Then, after the leaves fall off, those branches are cut off.  Why?  They had beautiful leaves!   However, these branches take strength from the vine but produce no fruit. 

I had to ask myself if I am looking at the leaves that I think are important, or at the fruit of God in my life.  I have to ask myself if some hidden (or not so hidden) things are cutting off the flow of God in my life.  I know I have unforgiveness, strife, fear, doubt, and even anger in my heart.  I keep trying to bury it, praying about it, and hoping it will go away.  But the truth is that I have to deal with those issues in my heart. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.       Hebrews 12:1


This verse says that it is my job to strip off every weight. 

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.   2 Corinthians 7:1


This verse says that it is my job to cleanse myself.  That anger, unforgiveness, and doubt defiles my body and spirit.  I have let it consume me for far too long.  Like the vine, I am responsible to prune my own branches that are sucking strength.  Those branches may have leaves, but I know there is no fruit.  

It is tough to do at times.  I enjoy that anger some days, especially when I feel that anger as a mother toward those that would attack my children and family.  I enjoy that unforgiveness that allows me, in pride, to continue to point out the faults of others.  I even enjoy my doubts and unbelief where I can, in frustration, let myself be discontent with where God has me at the present moment.  

I want strength to flow from the vine, Christ, to the branches, me.  I need His strength.  I feel weak without Him, as if the world is out of focus.  When I get weak, I get frustrated at that weak feeling, and then get angry.  You see, anger is deceptive too.  With the anger and adrenaline flowing through my veins, I feel a momentary surge of power... but it isn't true strength.  It's a weak branch that needs to be pruned.

I am praying for God to show me what needs pruned in my life.