“..every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2)
In a couple of months, it will be that time of year when women begin their spring cleaning. Our houses have been closed up all winter and when spring arrives it is a great time to open up the windows and let the fresh air in. It is also a time to clean the house from top to bottom (as my mother would say).
A house can get cluttered with dust, dirt, and a multitude of other things. Those things eventually need to be purged, or cleaned up. Likewise, our lives must also experience a purging from time to time.
Jesus said that a branch which produces fruit must be purged in order to produce MORE fruit. This purging process isn’t a bad thing, although it can feel like it sometimes.
When a branch is purged, everything is removed from the branch which would divert the vital nutrients from producing fruit. Likewise, God has to purge our lives, from time to time, of anything which may hinder Him from producing in us the fruit we could be producing.
A gardener only purges the branches that he cares about. This morning, take a moment to thank the Lord for caring enough for you to purge you of things which may hinder you from becoming the man or woman you were created to be.