A gardener tends to the garden, whether it is made up of flowers, plants, trees, or grass.

Jesus illustrated what God does (as a gardener) for those who make a commitment to follow Jesus, doing what He says to do.

(NASB) John 15:1-2 “I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 “˜Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”

Jesus explained the activity of the “vinedresser” in the life of a committed Christian.

A gardener cuts off dead branches ““ it is impossible for a dead branch to produce fruit (it is impossible for a person to bear spiritual fruit when they have rejected or refused God).

The branches which are alive (those who are attached to the vine, Jesus Christ) are cleaned and cut back so more fruit will be produced.

God”™s activity in your life may look like darkness, or be difficult or even filled with roadblocks. Our God takes those things in our lives which cause us pain to produce in us an opportunity to bear more fruit. What we see as hard things can be the very things God uses to clean and prune us for greater fruit-bearing.

What is going on in your life?

Is it the activity of the Gardener?