So today let’s get to that Second Secret of the Vine that I alluded to yesterday. Here it is:
“If your life bears some fruit, God will intervene to prune you.” (p58)
Pruning. Ok, I know this doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun either, yet understanding God’s methods can lead to us not resisting His Way which will, eventually, lead to a higher level of that fulfilling life we truly desire. I hope you all know how much I love John 3:30 and here we see it again as Mr Wilkinson says, “…the Vinedresser’s secret for more is…less.” (p58) While our branch was “bare because of sin,” now we have begun to display some level of this beautiful Fruit of the Spirit, but there is still plenty of room for growth, so God makes the room for us by cutting out things that will only hold us back from more. So less of what we think is good, and more of what God knows is better, is what pruning is all about.
The author says, “His purpose is for you to cut away immature commitments and lesser priorities to make room for even greater abundance for His glory.” (p58) In order to do this, God must continue to go against our “common sense.” The things we think are right, are not always righteous, and that is more important to God than anything else. So we must be willing to obey and let them go, opening ourselves up for more of the Fruit and a bigger realm of influence for God’s Kingdom. More Fruit and more influence to bring others to God? This is at the center of the Abundant Life, because both center on Love.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
<>< Peace, Diane
