I've Been Cut Off!

February 6, 2023

It’s time to prune our fruit trees. I kind of dread it. Pruning is tough on my emotions.

Our two pear trees are twelve and fifteen feet tall. They have long, slender branches that are usually bowed down with six to ten pears on each branch. It’s glorious to see them curving down with all that wonderful fruit, but they are way too long for their health. When I prune them, I’ll have to expect only a fraction of that crop the first year. It will be heartbreaking. I know God gave us a great crop last year, so we’ve got lots in the freezer.

The two fig trees produced little this past year, partly because they are overgrown. In addition, some of the fig tree branches are in the way of the shed door. It’s time to prune, but what’s left will look like the aftermath of an attack.

The lone peach tree has never been pruned. It is gangly and ugly.

Pruning involves cutting live branches. I cut branches that have been productive. I do it for the good of the fruit tree. I wish I could I assure the trees I’m not being heartless and cruel.

When God prunes my life, it includes lopping off dead branches. It also includes getting rid of live parts, and that hurts. I have to leave behind activities that have brought me joy. At times, I must discontinue ministries that have been fruitful for God. My faith assures me that God is not heartless, but is doing the pruning for my good and the good of others. I will praise him as he cuts.

John 15:2, “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 more fruitful.”