Pruning Hurts So Good

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15: 2-3

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 23-24; John 15

This has been a tough one for me personally.

As a child and even into adulthood I used to hold onto friends a bit too much. I have always been a very loyal person and someone who tries to see the best in others that I deem trustworthy. But not all of those “friends” were really friends.

Have you ever depended on another person and had them let you down? It’s a really wack feeling. Each time I opened up to a new person I felt like I was let down. Sometimes it was just my perception, other times it was true… but with each encounter my heart grew colder. I got to a point where I just didn’t let anyone in at all.

Then I got to college and started to challenge this. I tried to open myself up again and had some great results. I met some great people who are still in my life to this day.

But even the best of friends aren’t perfect. Sometimes they let you down.

This happened to me several years ago. I thought to myself… damn… not again. This is what I get for opening myself up.

But then I had a second thought… wait a minute… I can’t keep on cutting people out of my life. What the heck is wrong here?

And that’s when I realized my problem. I put way to much faith in other people, and not enough in God.

Sometimes we have to experience some form of loss in order to reach our full potential. When we have folks in our lives that we love, but aren’t going in the similarly positive direction then they can pull us off track.

That’s where the pruning comes in.

As those dead branches are cut away we realize that our energy, our spirits, and our lives were not dependent on these branches anyway. But as long as those branches are still attached, we continue to pour energy into them, preventing our ability to bear good fruit in our lives.

So if you have noticed that things are being stripped away from you; just roll with it. Odds are it is just dead weight that is keeping you from flying.

It may be hard to see that now… but have a little faith… It will all work out in the end.

Spoiled Fruit

The men of Ephraim called out their forces, crossed over to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We're going to burn down your house over your head."

Jephthah answered, "I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn't save me out of their hands. When I saw that you wouldn't help, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave me the victory over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?" Judges 12: 1-3

Wait just one minute! Jephthah has already gone to battle and saved the day and her comes the tribe of Ephraim “Johnny come lately” on the scene. Not only that, but they’re also ready to do battle?

Yeah right sonny.

Of course Jephthah proceeded to lay the smack down on them for a cool minute but it really didn’t have to be that way… After all they are all family.

That’s no bueno.

But sometimes the folks who seem like they are the closest to us are the ones planning on taking us down when we seem weak. Jephthah’s response was perfect though. He had a job to do, he asked for help, and when it wasn’t given he took matters into his own hands.

We cannot just sit around waiting for others to get in the game with us. Sure life is a team sport. But, if you are ready to move, move with the troops you have.

Because sometimes no matter how long you wait, reinforcements never come. Then you are left in a worse position. Time has past, opportunities have been lost, and perhaps dreams have dried up.

So seize your purpose while it is still ripe. If not, the fruit of your labor might spoil before you can get your hands on it.

That stinks.

Today’s Reading: Judges 11-12; Luke 6:1-26