While reading John 15 this week, I thought about pruning and bearing fruit and how they related to my grape arbor. In verse 2 it says, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away." This made perfect sense to me. If a branch is not producing fruit or serving some other purpose for the vine, then it can be removed. You'll notice in the picture below 2 branches that I trimmed in the winter while the plant was dormant that are not producing leaves or fruit. When I pruned it, I could not tell that it was dead, but now it will need to be pruned away.
Branch that no longer is producing fruit or new growth. It will need to be removed.
Fruit growing on a new branch. But then the verse continues, " and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth, that it may bring forth more fruit." Now wait a second. If the branch is producing fruit, why does it need to be purged? Well, here's an interesting thing about grapes. As I understand it, they produce fruit on a branch only once, and that branch is the new year's growth. Furthermore, the new branches form on last year's canes or branches. Thus, when a branch bears fruit one year, the cultivator must trim that branch, being particularly aware of how many buds are left on that cane where the new shoots will grow. This careful pruning, allows the vine to produce the best fruit. If the vine is not pruned, then there are shoots everywhere and perhaps even a lot of grapes, but the plant cannot fully sustain all of the fruit and many times the fruit is small and underdeveloped.
As I look at priorities in my life, this lesson is particularly poignant. If I try to do too many things at once, I may indeed produce fruit, but it is not the same caliber as if i focus my priorities on things that matter most. Sometimes, I may be able to prune my own plant, but often I find the Lord of the Vineyard has to help me. Sometimes, He even prunes me when I wasn't expecting it! Though this kind of pruning hurts most, in the end, it helps me to grow stronger and produce better fruit.
As I look at priorities in my life, this lesson is particularly poignant. If I try to do too many things at once, I may indeed produce fruit, but it is not the same caliber as if i focus my priorities on things that matter most. Sometimes, I may be able to prune my own plant, but often I find the Lord of the Vineyard has to help me. Sometimes, He even prunes me when I wasn't expecting it! Though this kind of pruning hurts most, in the end, it helps me to grow stronger and produce better fruit.
 | I learned other lessons this morning as I looked with my spiritual eyes and pondered my grape arbor. These two pictures show various ways the branches are supported as they grow from the main vine. Sometimes, the plant (on the left) is able to send out little tendrils that fiercely grasp the fence, wire, or other nearby support systems. Other times, the Lord of the Vineyard must guide the plant (on the right) and secure it to the support system in some manner while it continues to grow. |  |
I learned another important lesson last year, when I was in the middle of my Master's Degree exams and final semester. That year, my structure holding up the netting to protect my grapes from the invading birds broke from the weight of the snow. I did not have time to fix it or prune my grapes. Thus, the vines grew up and through the bird netting that had collapsed on the roof. This year I tried to remove the netting, but found I had to cut much of it away to not damage the vines, and will need to eventually replace it before the fruit ripens. I have not been a good caretaker of my vineyard and am suffering the consequences of my neglect. It's a good thing that the true Lord of the Vineyard would never neglect us in this manner! He is always aware of our situation and wants us to grow in the best way possible. I truly believe that if we follow Him, we will be able to produce the most wonderful fruit. John 15:5, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bring forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing."
The grapes ready for harvest 3 years ago.