Pruning

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2

After months of cold, rainy and dark days, the sun came out and the temps topped 70 degrees this past week. The daffodils and cherry blossoms seemed to pop out overnight. I realized that the time had come to prune my crepe myrtle trees before they began to bloom.

To prune means to cut away or trim old or outgrown limbs or branches in order to allow for future growth and new fruit, and it’s vital for the health of the tree.  This is exactly why every year in mid to late February, I walk through this process with these trees. Would they bloom without me trimming and pruning them? More than likely, but after pruning, they bloom more and even more vibrantly. The same is true of other trees, too, especially fruit trees. Pruning fruit trees, such as an apple tree, will result in more apples. Trees need attention and care, if they are to bear fruit or beautify our lawns. Pruning makes trees healthy and strengthens them. 

My crepe myrtles were planted about 15 years ago. Before that, I never had any experience with similar trees, other than noticing their beautiful blooms in passing. The first time I pruned them, I had to study how to properly do it and ask others for advice. I wanted to ensure that I did not cut them back too far and cause irreparable damage . Instead of harming the trees, I actually helped them grow and look even better. The trees came back and were gorgeous. 

As I was working up a sweat cutting the branches and limbs of the four of these trees I have in my front lawn, the words of John 15:1-2 came to mind. God got my attention and reminded me that pruning was more than just for trees. The pruning process is how God develops His strength in us and molds us with His character so that we can serve Him now and for eternity. 

In order to grow and become everything that God wants us to be, we must give up those things that have no business being in our lives, like sinful habits, negative influences, or even certain relationships that hinder our growth. These "pruning" moments, though they may be painful or uncomfortable, help us mature in our faith. God uses challenges to refine us, build character, and draw us closer to Him

Just as loppers or a pole saw are great tools to trim crepe myrtles, God’s Word is the perfect tool for pruning us. Scripture is active and alive. It is relevant to our lives. It is sharp so that it can remove the unwanted “branches” in our lives without harming us.

Read Colossians 3:1-10. These verses help us to know to set our minds on Christ and get rid of anything that distracts us. Pruning isn’t just a one-time event for a tree. It’s something that happens regularly, especially as the tree matures, to ensure it stays healthy and fruitful. Similarly, our faith walk is an ongoing process. God continues to refine us, teaching us, correcting us, and growing us throughout our lives. 

Seek the Lord, seek His Word and seek wise counsel. Though the process may hurt or not be easy, it is necessary and will pay off in the long run in a healthier, closer relationship with the Creator of the universe.  

Call to Action

Take a few minutes to sit and reflect on your spiritual life. Ask God to reveal habits, words, attitudes, actions, thoughts or sins that need to be “trimmed” out of your life. Think about these questions:

What is holding you back from growing closer to God?

How can you trust God more in the areas you find difficult to change?

What does spiritual growth look like for you in this season?

Dig Deeper

Here are additional Scripture passages relating to spiritual pruning: James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:3-11, Colossians 3:9-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 7:19, Galatians 5:22-23.

Prayer

Spend a moment in prayer, asking the Lord to help you have the courage to get rid of anything holding you back from being your best for Him and to trust Him to refine you where needed. Thank Him for caring for you and desiring that you prosper spiritually. 

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens