Cultivate: Prune

Have you ever felt challenged, even offended, by something you've read in Scripture or encountered in your faith walk? Those moments of discomfort might actually be invitations to deeper growth and fruitfulness in your spiritual life.

The concept of pruning in gardening offers a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. Just as a skilled gardener trims back branches to promote healthier, more abundant growth, God sometimes allows us to experience seasons of pruning in our lives. These periods can feel uncomfortable, even painful, but they serve a greater purpose.

Consider the words of Jesus in John 15:2: "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." This verse challenges our natural inclination to avoid discomfort. We might think, "If I'm already bearing fruit, why do I need pruning?" Yet Jesus assures us that pruning leads to even greater fruitfulness.

The key lies in our response to these pruning seasons. Do we resist and pull away, or do we lean in and trust the process?

John 6 provides a striking example of this principle in action. After performing miraculous signs and feeding thousands, Jesus began teaching some difficult concepts to the crowd following Him. He spoke of being the "bread of life" and used metaphorical language about eating His flesh and drinking His blood – words that many found perplexing and offensive.

The response was dramatic. John 6:66 tells us, "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." The very teachings meant to draw people closer instead became a point of division. Those unwilling to wrestle with the challenging words simply walked away.

But what about those who stayed? Jesus turned to His twelve closest disciples and asked a piercing question: "You do not want to leave too, do you?" (John 6:67)

Peter's response is profound: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)

This moment encapsulates a crucial truth: Sometimes, the very things that offend us or make us uncomfortable are the pathways to deeper spiritual nourishment. By choosing to stay, to wrestle with difficult teachings, and to trust even when we don't fully understand, we position ourselves for transformative growth.

The story of Corrie ten Boom powerfully illustrates this principle. A Dutch Christian who, along with her family, helped hide Jews during World War II, Corrie endured unimaginable suffering in Nazi concentration camps. Her faith was tested in ways most of us can scarcely imagine.

Yet, it was after the war that Corrie faced perhaps her greatest spiritual pruning. While speaking at a church in Munich, she came face-to-face with a former SS guard from Ravensbrück, the camp where she had been imprisoned and where her sister had died.

The man approached her, seeking forgiveness. Corrie's initial reaction was one of revulsion and anger. Every fiber of her being resisted the idea of extending forgiveness to this man who represented such evil and pain in her life.

In that moment, Corrie was faced with a choice. She could hold onto her justified anger and bitterness, or she could embrace the challenging, even offensive, call to forgive as Christ had forgiven her.

Corrie prayed, "Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness." As she took the man's hand, she experienced a remarkable surge of love and forgiveness that she knew could only have come from God. This moment of intense spiritual pruning led to an outpouring of grace that Corrie could never have mustered on her own.

This story challenges us to consider: Where in our lives might God be calling us to do the seemingly impossible? What teachings or commands feel too difficult, too extreme, or too offensive to our sensibilities?

The truth is, following Jesus will inevitably lead us into uncomfortable territory. He will ask us to forgive when we'd rather hold grudges, to love when we'd prefer to hate, to give when we want to keep for ourselves. He will challenge our political assumptions, our cultural norms, and our deepest-held convictions.

In these moments, we face the same choice as those disciples in John 6. Will we walk away because the teaching is too hard? Or will we, like Peter, recognize that even in our confusion and discomfort, Jesus alone has "the words of eternal life"?

Pruning is never comfortable. It involves cutting away, letting go, and sometimes feeling exposed. But the promise of Scripture is clear – pruning leads to greater fruitfulness. When we choose to remain connected to Christ, even in seasons that feel challenging or offensive, we position ourselves for tremendous growth and spiritual maturity.

So, the next time you encounter a teaching that makes you uncomfortable, or find yourself in a situation that stretches your faith, pause before pulling away. Could this be a moment of divine pruning? Might God be inviting you into a deeper, more fruitful relationship with Him through this very challenge?

Remember the words of Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." In our moments of doubt, confusion, or offense, may we cling to this truth. There is life, abundant and eternal, found in remaining connected to Christ – even when, perhaps especially when, it's difficult.

As you reflect on your own spiritual journey, consider:

1. Where might God be pruning you right now?
2. What teachings or commands of Christ do you find most challenging?
3. How can you cultivate a heart that remains open to God's work, even when it's uncomfortable?

May we have the courage to stay, to trust, and to allow the Master Gardener to shape us into vessels that bear much fruit for His kingdom.