god’s green thumb

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

Prune: to cut away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth, to remove superfluous or unwanted parts

My Abba,

I do want to be more fruitful. I want to imagine myself as a thriving branch on the prolific fig tree nestled in the bend of our backyard fence. Vivid green leaves playing in the gusty spring breeze and supple branches brimming with countless ripening figs.

But I have to admit I am not enamored with the idea of you shaping me with your cosmic pruning shears. I have lived long enough to know the pruning process is not all sunshine and fun. I don’t feel an overwhelming desire to rush to the front of the line for pruning.

But as I said, I still want to be a vigorous branch loaded with the fruit of your Spirit. How can I reconcile my desire to walk, talk, and look more like you with my desire to skip the process of pruning?

I want you to work in and through me, even if you have to remove “superfluous or unwanted parts,” in order, “to increase my fruitfulness and growth.” Please give me courage. By the power of your Holy Spirit, grow me up (make me more fruitful). I am powerless to transform myself.

I know I must abide in you, in order, for you to do your good work in me. I don’t want to hide and wither. Please keep me flourishing and vital as I remain in you, a branch well connected, pruned and nourished.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

Apart from me, you can do no good that exceeds the limits of your own strength. I don’t want your humanity to fence you in. I want to empower you to shatter the boundaries of your flesh-and-blood potential. I have made you for greater things. And through my power, you can flourish in ways you did not consider possible.

Every time you conquer that seemingly invincible summit … every time you choose to give me that swarming pain that threatens to swallow your soul ... every time you forgive what seems unforgivable ... every time you give up a passing pleasure to walk with me into something glorious and eternal ... it is because you have allowed me to give you what you need to exceed the limits of your own strength. You are practicing my version of willpower (your willingness to depend on my power).

The apple tree does not have to strain to produce ripe, crisp apples. The grape vine doesn’t grit its teeth to produce delicious, juicy grapes. The cherry tree does not struggle to produce mouthwatering cherries. But if the gardener provides protection, good soil, nourishment, water, pruning, and light, the outcome will be a more abundant harvest. You can bear wondrous, supernatural fruit, if you trust me as your gardener.

I know what you need to flourish. You are a finite, created being. But you are, also, an eternal vessel where my Spirit resides. Let me tend the garden of your heart. I have the ultimate green thumb. You will be overwhelmed with the harvest.

I love you,

Abba

photo v.chursina