Devotionals

---

Broken Limbs

The tree was full and covered in dark green leaves. Limbs bowed under the weight of life but did not give up! It was meant to be – providing shade as well as beauty. Grown to a mature age, the tree was a reflection of someone taking meticulous care to nature and groom so it could one day be a magnificent display of life! Possibility had been seen many years ago as the tree was allowed to grow!

Then one day I noticed a broken limb. Hanging lifelessly marring the beauty of the tree, it had been broken by either a strong wind or a careless person. Regardless this limp branch was the focal point of the tree. It swayed with the wind but no longer in sync with the rest of the branches. It needed to be removed, but no one had yet taken the time to do so; alas it spoke a million messages to anyone who took the time to stop and look.

My first instinct was to remove the limb. As sad as it was, it was no longer useful to the tree. It marred the beauty! What would it hurt if I snapped it off and discarded it? I wrestled with the thoughts of restoring the tree to its natural masterpiece.

Then I understood the impact. The tree didn’t belong to me! It was not my tree to prune! The owner would have to manage the clipping and restoration – my doing so would be nothing more than me taking it upon myself to prune that which wasn’t mine!

Today the broken branch still hangs lifelessly, but I have confidence that the owner will see to the pruning. The owner has groomed the tree so that it would grow to this lush state; therefore I trust that the owner will continue to be concerned about the appearance of the tree – with the broken limb.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2).

Many of us have gone around pruning trees with good intentions. We have seen broken limbs and thought it best to remove them, but Jesus didn’t call us to trim trees and prune branches. God, the husbandman knows when and how to prune the branches.

We may see something in someone’s life we think should be removed, and pull out our pruning shears, we never really meant to harm, but great damage can be done if we do not allow God to prune in His time and in His way.

This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12).

Love is our mission! Love even if we see broken limbs! Love even if we think the beauty has been marred! Love others like Christ has loved us!

Dear God thank you for loving us enough to prune our branches. Thank you for taking the time to remove those things in our life that hinder our growth and to groom us into the fruit bearing trees you have intended us to be! Lord, forgive us for pruning others – for lopping and clipping those things we felt were unnecessary. Help us to see others through eyes of love! Lord we know firsthand that often the pruning and grooming in order to be fruitful can be very painful – thank you for wisdom and grace to endure, knowing it is for our benefit! Help us to love enough to be encouragers to those who are being pruned by you so that we don’t carelessly remove branches with good intentions. We want to be more like you and we submit today to your work.

In Jesus Name, AMEN

© Jounda LaMance September 18, 2006

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE