“So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them…God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Genesis 1:27, 28a, 31a
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” John 12:24
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He lifts up; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1, 2
“Eventually, you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is.” Gary Zukav
Every year the vineyard manager must prune back the grape vines so that they can produce new grapes. The process begins in the winter when the manager goes through the vineyard and prunes the shoots (branches) that produced the previous year’s fruit. He leaves only a few old shoots on each vine for producing the new shoots in the spring. Once spring arrives, the new shoots bear the grapes for harvest that year. Over the summer, the grapes ripen and mature on these shoots. Then come fall, the vineyard manager harvests the grapes and prepares them to be turned into wine.
Eventually the grape leaves turn yellow on the vines and fall off before hibernation during the winter. And once again, the vineyard manager prunes back all but a few shoots on each vine for producing new shoots for another new harvest.
So what does all of this have to do with you and me? You might be surprised. It actually illustrates God’s tender loving care for each of us. In this illustration, God is the vineyard manager.
With this in mind, let’s look a little closer and see what gems we uncover that could radically change our lives.
How has the vineyard manager’s actions brought healing and wholeness to the vines?
He carefully places the vines right where they need to be and gives them just what they need to flourish. Not too much moisture, just enough nutrients and plenty of light.
He lovingly prunes the old shoots from each vine. Taking away that which they are not. Leaving just a few shoots to grow the new life for the new harvest. This doesn’t happen without pruning. Love prunes away that which is not needed, that which impedes new growth and fruit on the vine.
He tenderly cares for the vines throughout the year, to see them come into full health, wholeness and fruitfulness.
This is a picture of how God brings healing and health to our own lives. We were created in His image and likeness, and He blessed His creation (each of us). When He sees us, His response is “indeed, it was very good.” Our loving Father cares for us and puts us right where we need to be to flourish. However, He must also prune us at the proper time, to remove who we are not in our thinking — about ourselves, others and God. So that we may grow in our spiritual awareness and bear greater fruit for the harvest.
This harvest is a blessing not only to us, but to others. Fruit for others is the purpose. Fruit that blesses and satisfies. And it’s produced through the love (agape) and adoration of our Father God.
What does this pruning represent in our lives? And what if we resist it?
John 12:24 states, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” Dying and resurrection is the cycle of physical and spiritual life. Traumas, hurts and disappointments will come, but our Vineyard Manager knows what He is doing. He will care for us; lifting us up when we are fruitless and immature and pruning us to grow and mature to be a blessing to others.
If we resist the pruning, then healing and restoration will take longer and be more difficult. It’s better to cooperate (team up!) with a good and loving God who seeks only our best. This is agape, the Greek word for sacrificial love. It actually means “to lead sacrificially another into rest.” Then, just as there is pruning, there is a regrowth and fruitfulness we could never imagine.
A new awakening
The healing and restoration that this brings is a new awakening, a higher way of living that leads to soul rest and peace. This is our true union and oneness in Jesus Christ.
If you’re in a winter season of pruning, here are some suggestions to cooperating with God’s healing and restoration as He brings you into a new awakening.
Embrace this season as a blessing, and not a curse. It won’t last forever, but is the catalyst for new shoots and fruit to come. In other words, health, vigor and a fulfilling purpose for your life.
Gratitude is thanks for that which is already accomplished. It’s the evidence of faith at work. Thank the Lord for the season, but also for the health and restoration that is yours, at this moment, before it comes.
In the midst of a season of pruning, enjoy your soul rest in Christ. All is accomplished in Christ’s finished work, and you’re in union with Him in that work. Everything is already done. Let your soul enjoy His finished work, without any efforts on your part.
Even in the midst of pruning, you ARE loved, adored and accepted unconditionally. Reaffirm this each day, each moment if needed. You ARE wonderful, a masterpiece and amazing. Did you know your Heavenly Father thinks of you more times in a day than sands on the sea shore? It’s TRUE.
Your healing and restoration ARE in His agape love for you. Let your attention be on Him each moment. That’s where you’ll find the new life and harvest you were created to enjoy.