The Tree That Grows The Strongest

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit H e prunes that it may bear more fruit.John 15:2

Years ago I took a trip to the California vineyards. I sat at the counter and intensely listened as the vineyard owner explained the process that must take place to get the really full, rich taste of the best wines. It is always the new growth that must be destroyed to get the award winning wine.

Our Father is like that. He prunes us by taking the worst of us away to get the best of us. Through the pain of the pruning we draw closer to Him. Our spirit becomes broken so we can get the very best from Him. Our eyes search upward, our hands held outward and our broken hearts surrendered to the cross.

It is out of His love and immeasurable care that He patiently prunes us. With the end result in sight it is only to make us stronger in Christ. He never told us as Christians that we would walk without difficulties. But He is right there drawing us closer. To sustain our problems we must completely give them to Him. Our burden becomes lighter because He is our solution in every situation.

But we must lean and glean on Him alone. Complete surrender only renders Jesus Christ. On the other side of that difficulty rests a loving, caring Father. So be still and listen. Watch His hand move as He prunes you. As our ways become His ways and our eyes look for His purpose listen for the soft gentle voice of the Holy Spirit.

He comes with a blade
and prunes cuz He cares.
The pain travels deep
and is so much to bear.

But He prunes His children
to draw us close.
Cutting the ones
that He loves the most.

My broken spirit
surrendered to the cross.
I'll take the pain
and count it but loss.

Sometimes in the pruning
I brake down and cry.
But You are my Father
for You I must die.

I surrender, I give in.
Wash me Father.
Destroy my sin.

I'm a vessel broken for You.
I surrender in all that I do.

Sometimes in the pruning
I don't understand
the reason for the pain
the movement of Your hand.

But is in the pruning
that You make us strong.
So I'll surrender everything
and simple come along.

Brad McGill
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