Self Clipping Plants

May 10, 2021

Scripture

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. …. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1,2,5 NIVUK)

Self-Clipping Plants

We had seven shy Hydrangea plants guarding one side of our driveway. They were bushy and flowered, but the blooms remained hidden under leaf cover. After many consultations with our garden centre, we tried many different ways of pruning them at different times of year, but we never could release them from their shyness.

I couldn’t afford counselling for them, so we replaced them a couple of years ago with some more suitable for our climate zone. We prune in the spring down to the green wood and they are producing healthy buds again this year – and the blooms weren’t shy last year.

If the original plants had started pruning one another, or one branch hacked off another I would have been ready to call in the Ghostbusters. Jesus’ phrases “I am the vine, you are the branches”, “My Father is the Gardener” reminded me this week that my pruning is restricted to plants that are my responsibility.

It’s good to be reminded that I am a branch of the Vine in God’s cosmic garden. That relationship with the vine defines my relationship with you and all the other branches – producing fruit of truth, mercy and justice. Sure, we need to exercise our responsibilities but hacking one another doesn’t produce good fruit.  We have our place in the world of ideas and opinions in ways that are winsome, clear and full of truth – but with the humility that comes from knowing whose we are.

 A Prayer for Today

God of the Cosmic Garden, you prune to help us be more fruitful to you and your world. Help me to participate in your garden with all its challenges and discouragements relying on the strength of the Vine and cooperating with the rest of the branches …. For Jesus’ sake

PS. To read, listen or watch our latest On Further Reflection with special guest Mike Janzen click here