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Verse:“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” —John 15:2, NKJV
In June 2006, I moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia, in the United States of America, started a new job, and bought a home.
The new job and setting up house didn’t allow for anything other than cursory glances at the cherry blossom tree on the front lawn.
Fall and winter came and went, and spring reared its head with delightful tulips, delicious scents of hyacinths, budding trees, and numerous new plants pushing through the earth. How I love the spring season! It was finally time to beautify the outside of my home. I looked forward with delight to seeing the frothy pink and white blossoms on the cherry blossom tree. I was in for such a disappointment! That first spring, half the tree produced blossoms that lacked luster and vibrancy. I wondered about the other nonproducing half of the tree but figured it would bloom the following year.
The next spring, the results were the same —few blossoms.
A friend advised against cutting the tree down and suggested pruning the nonproducing branches, which I did. Surprise! The following year, there were new branches and more blossoms than the previous two years.
And the next spring, I won the prize: more branches and lush blossoms that delighted my senses. A spectacular sight! The dead branches had effectively prevented the tree from reaching its full blossoming potential. Removing them restored its luster and vibrancy. That year of full blooms, the Holy Spirit showed me that the same is true when we do not eliminate the last vestiges of sin from our lives.
What dead branches are we still grasping? Could they be our propensity to judge others and disparage their characters for our gain? Our unwillingness to forgive, the books we read, the television shows we watch, the love of money, a lack of time with God? What’s preventing the full surrender of our will to God? What is preventing us from taking possession of the “promised land”? Are we wandering in the wilderness, worshiping false gods? Let’s make it to the Promised Land.
Don’t miss out on eternal life by holding on to dead branches.
Terry Roselmond-Moore