Notes on Hope Devotional

Even More Fruitful

John 15:1-2 (NIV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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.”

A few years ago, I participated in a grape harvest at a vineyard. After receiving a pair of gloves, clippers, and a bucket, I was shown my spot in the row. I then began gently cutting the grapes from the vine and placing them in my bucket. What I saw in the fruit was the result of what weather, wind, and pruning had produced. What I didn’t see was what the grapes went through to become what I held in my hand. Continuing down the row, there was a sense of sacredness as I reached for the grapes on the branch. These grapes would never have been produced unless they had been pruned. Pruning wasn’t an option; it was required.

In today’s verse, “every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” In other words, being fruitful means there will be pruning.

Last week, I had a friend come over to help me with some plants. She showed me how to use clippers to cut back a plant, gently and strategically in the right place. What I had been doing was pulling off the stems of the plant. Pruning is different than pulling. Pruning is designed to create regrowth in the right places. Pruning will produce better fruit.  

In her book, “Chasing Vines,” Beth Moore quotes Dr. Jamie Goode, “Making the vines struggle generally results in better quality grapes.” In other words, less-than-perfect conditions will produce something of value. Or maybe the struggle isn’t just to survive, but to thrive. Pruning produces what we can’t see yet. Pruning makes us even more fruitful.

What are you facing today that feels like you are being pruned? An unknown outcome to a problem, a diagnosis, a fractured relationship, or just daily stress, all feel like pruning. We can trust the Master Gardner as we allow Him to prune us to be even more fruitful.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your faithful love. Thank You for being the Vine. Help me stay connected and remain in You as You gently prune me. Give me faith to fix my eyes on You to what I can’t see yet in the pruning process.

In Jesus Name,

Amen