Sometimes Our Spiritual Garden Needs a Little Pruning
A devotional by Alica Searl
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”—John 15:5 (NIV)
When I was a young lady in college, I remember sitting in a small church, listening to the pastor explain this verse, and thinking to myself: Am I a true follower of Jesus Christ?
At the time I didn’t think so. The loneliness I experienced in those years brought me to a place of longing to know who I was and who God really was.
Honestly, it’s a journey we must all face. However, if you have currently (or have ever) questioned your faith, it can be comforting to know that we have the Bible that gives us glimpses into the lives of Godly people that also encountered trails in their faith. Some doubted God, others denied Him, many drifted or went astray, and a few failed to see the purpose of this life. Thankfully, God’s Word (The Holy Bible) provides answers and delivers the hope we need to soothe our aching hearts and confused souls.
In John 15, Jesus Christ is teaching His beloved disciples one final invaluable lesson. As He dined with His friends for one last meal, He wanted to make sure they understood the importance of how much He loved them, but also how much they would need to rely on Him to mature in their faith.
Jesus, being the greatest storyteller, uses the illustration of a vine and branches to demonstrate the precious relationship with Him and their Heavenly Father (God). While He is addressing His disciples in this passage, it easily pertains to us as believers. Jesus refers to Himself as the vine, the sustainer of life. While referring to God as the gardener (John 15:1). Then Jesus implies that we are the branches, and God cuts off branches that do not produce fruit, while pruning others to produce more fruit.
As a girl who dabbles in gardening, I can tell you pruning is essential for growth and life. Some branches need to be completely cut off to help the plant survive, while others show signs of possible life and only need a good trim to help the plant thrive. God’s love for us is similar because He sees our potential as He shapes and molds us, pruning and cutting away things that don’t serve us, so that we can be more of a reflection of Christ.
If your faith is in question or you find yourself in a spiritual drought, go back to the basics and reclaim the truth out loud for your heart, mind, and soul to hear: God is our ultimate sustainer of this life and He exists in three persons: Father (Gardener), Son (Jesus Christ as the Vine), and Holy Spirit (our spiritual guide to tend to us as the garden). Allow God to do a great work in and through you to revive and awaken your faith!
The truth of the matter is that we cannot thrive and produce “good fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23) of the Holy Spirit without being “rooted” in Christ. Our personal connection to Jesus doesn’t allow us to just merely get by; it allows us to flourish and live this life abundantly. We are designed to connect intimately with Jesus. And through that connection we are reminded that we are chosen. We are loved. We are a friend of God.
Let’s Pray:
Faithful Father,
You are so very good to us! We are grateful that You tend to us in every shape and form—from the nature of our hearts to the foundation of our faith in You. Give us the ability to soften the soil in our spiritual gardens so that we can grow deeper in our faith walk with Jesus Christ and draw closer to You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “The Garden (Acoustic)” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “Graves into Gardens” ft. Brandon Lake | Live | Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “Friend of God” by Israel Houghton & Churchome Music. Listen to it here.
Honestly, it’s a journey we must all face. However, if you have currently (or have ever) questioned your faith, it can be comforting to know that we have the Bible that gives us glimpses into the lives of Godly people that also encountered trails in their faith. Some doubted God, others denied Him, many drifted or went astray, and a few failed to see the purpose of this life. Thankfully, God’s Word (The Holy Bible) provides answers and delivers the hope we need to soothe our aching hearts and confused souls.
In John 15, Jesus Christ is teaching His beloved disciples one final invaluable lesson. As He dined with His friends for one last meal, He wanted to make sure they understood the importance of how much He loved them, but also how much they would need to rely on Him to mature in their faith.
Jesus, being the greatest storyteller, uses the illustration of a vine and branches to demonstrate the precious relationship with Him and their Heavenly Father (God). While He is addressing His disciples in this passage, it easily pertains to us as believers. Jesus refers to Himself as the vine, the sustainer of life. While referring to God as the gardener (John 15:1). Then Jesus implies that we are the branches, and God cuts off branches that do not produce fruit, while pruning others to produce more fruit.
As a girl who dabbles in gardening, I can tell you pruning is essential for growth and life. Some branches need to be completely cut off to help the plant survive, while others show signs of possible life and only need a good trim to help the plant thrive. God’s love for us is similar because He sees our potential as He shapes and molds us, pruning and cutting away things that don’t serve us, so that we can be more of a reflection of Christ.
If your faith is in question or you find yourself in a spiritual drought, go back to the basics and reclaim the truth out loud for your heart, mind, and soul to hear: God is our ultimate sustainer of this life and He exists in three persons: Father (Gardener), Son (Jesus Christ as the Vine), and Holy Spirit (our spiritual guide to tend to us as the garden). Allow God to do a great work in and through you to revive and awaken your faith!
The truth of the matter is that we cannot thrive and produce “good fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23) of the Holy Spirit without being “rooted” in Christ. Our personal connection to Jesus doesn’t allow us to just merely get by; it allows us to flourish and live this life abundantly. We are designed to connect intimately with Jesus. And through that connection we are reminded that we are chosen. We are loved. We are a friend of God.
Let’s Pray:
Faithful Father,
You are so very good to us! We are grateful that You tend to us in every shape and form—from the nature of our hearts to the foundation of our faith in You. Give us the ability to soften the soil in our spiritual gardens so that we can grow deeper in our faith walk with Jesus Christ and draw closer to You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “The Garden (Acoustic)” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “Graves into Gardens” ft. Brandon Lake | Live | Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “Friend of God” by Israel Houghton & Churchome Music. Listen to it here.
~*~
Author Bio:
Alicia Searl is a Christian author, writer, writing coach, and speaker who is passionate about sharing God’s Word to spread hope and healing.
She has an educational background and a master’s degree in advanced literacy. She is a contributing writer for iBelieve, Crosswalk, Christianity.com, and Your Daily Prayer. She has authored two devotionals, a children’s book of grief, and several Bible studies and prayer journals.
Alicia enjoys helping new and aspiring writers follow their calling and pursue their God-given purpose and shares personal faith stories on her blog. Her heartfelt words and authenticity are portrayed in each of her literary pieces in hopes of bringing her readers a sense of understanding, comfort, and encouragement on their faith journey.
Alicia resides in Texas where her family is currently fixing up a tiny home in the Piney Woods in East Texas to spread hope, bring healing, and share God’s love with others.
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