What Needs Cutting Back

At the moment all around us the vines all look dead as we near the end of winter. It seems impossible that in a few months' time they will have leaves and grapes again. As we were driving past a vineyard I noticed the labourers trimming off dead branches from the vines. They do this to increase fruitfulness. A vine left unpruned puts its energy into growing long, leafy shoots – lots of visible growth, but little fruit. By cutting back the dead and unproductive wood, the vine's energy is concentrated into the branches that will actually bear fruit. It made me wonder how many "dead branches" we put our effort into in life. Those things that are simply unproductive and bring no fruit. Maybe it is an obsession with sport or social media or TV. Maybe it is money or career. We need to consider our own lives and what takes our energy with little reward. "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." (John 15:1-2). What do you need to ask God to help remove from your life? (Craig B). Open Bible – bit.ly/Joh15v1-2