“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He trims so that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2, TLV

Whether our Heavenly Father cuts off the barren branch or prunes the productive ones, it’s all about the fruit. Real fruit cannot be faked.

Have you ever planted a garden? Watched for that first tomato to rippen? It is a miraculous moment when you taste the juicy deliciousness. How disappointing when there is no fruit.

When we lived in California, we drove by the vineyards. The first time we saw those beautiful vines pruned back to stumps, we wondered if they would return — if they would ever grow again. Of course, they did. Even more fruitful than before.

I think God cuts off the branches of my own efforts. My attempts at growing my own fruit. Because I have no edible fruit on my own.

When He prunes productive branches, it’s to prune me out of the way. So that I don’t try to take ownership of the miraculous fruit. That way I won’t corrupt the good fruit.

The alternative would be an inedible, ugly tree. And I don’t want that. No one does. Right?

So, cut and prune away, Lord.