Pruning...

This summer I am working at a vineyard as a 'vintner apprentice'; one of my main tasks is to make sure that the grape vines are properly pruned. There is a proper method to pruning.

1. Pruning is necessary to insure the greatest growth of the plant.

2. Pruning is necessary to insure the survival of the plant.

3. Sometimes it is necessary to cut all the way back to the main vine to insure a good harvest.

  There is a spiritual coorelation to pruning. When we become children of God, the process is not over. We have to allow God to 'prune away' all of the sin and evil that still is within us.

1. To insure the greatest spiritual growth, we must allow God to do that work within us. It sounds easy, but some of the areas that need work are a challenge to let go.

2. If we are to survive in this world as a Christian, we need God's pruning to purify us for His work. 

3. Sometimes God allows struggle, tragedy and difficulties to come in to our lives so that we can learn.

   Being a 21st century Christian is a difficult process (with so much evil tugging at our souls). But when we allow Him to do the 'pruning', the end result is so rewarding!