Acts 15:1-6 / John 15:1-8
For those of us who are not into gardening, we may not know what pruning is.
According to some definition, it is to trim a tree, a shrub, or a bush, by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.
Maybe it could be more understandable if the image of housekeeping is used.
We all know what housekeeping entails.
It means throwing away or getting rid of stuff that is useless and taking up space.
It also means de-cluttering so that there can be better usage of space.
But whether it is pruning, or housekeeping, or de-cluttering, it has to be done regularly.
Our hearts are made to be a home for God.
But the distractions and desires of this world has cluttered up our hearts.
It can even be that we have pushed God out of our hearts.
So we need to do spiritual pruning, spiritual housekeeping or spiritual de-cluttering.
We need to pray and we must pray so that our heart will remain as a home for God.
We also must read the Word of God, so that it will take root in our hearts and bear fruit for God’s glory and for the good of others.