Read: Psalm 22:25-31, Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 Easter Five
Pruning sounds harsh. In fact, it is harsh. Take the plant by the hand, reaching into the inner crown, finding a fork of a branch, and cutting away the longer, larger of the two branches. Make the cut with sharp, clean pruning shears large and powerful enough to make the cut with grace and efficiency.
Pruning opens the plant to allow light and air to penetrate and circulate properly. Pruning encourages new growth and proper fruit setting. A properly pruned plant will look natural, not scalped, not mowed.
Keep in mind pruning is NOT a size control. If you need to prune to reduce the overall size of the plant or to reduce the impact of the plant upon its neighbors, then you have the wrong plant growing in this particular place. Proper planting leads to proper pruning. Never substitute a poor planting choice with abusive pruning.
The goal in pruning should never be to control size; rather the goal is to maximize fruitfulness. Unfortunately pruning in order to control size is the rule we have all learned to accept as valid, even while it has never been particularly effective. Just like the guy who mows the grass at one inch of height, verses a healthy height of 3-4 inches. He has just caused more problems for himself by this behavior, but the grass is much shorter and he does not have to worry about it for another week or so. However, later in the summer he will stop and wonder why his yard looks sick compared to a neighbor. So it goes with pruning, slowing down and taking your time is your long-term friend.
The key to pruning is to remember the goal. If your goal is to make the plant shorter, smaller, less productive, stunted, looking something like a poodle just home from the groomer, then get out there with the power shears and go at it in 20 minutes. However, it your goal is to encourage the plants natural DNA, the God given structure and capability, to encourage the natural shape and flowering, if you are hoping to reach the maximum potential for fruit bearing, then you will prune carefully with wisdom and thought. You will secure the proper tools and take the time to see clearly the potential risk and benefit of each cut.
Then, the harshness of the cut can make sense and offer hope. The pruning, even while painful, can be life-affirming and life-giving. May it be so.
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Sermon: “The Pruned Life”
