We pick up this week in our reading of Crushing by TD Jakes on chapter 4, Pruning is not Punishment.

When it comes to life’s crushing moments, perhaps none are more painful than those involving the health of our loved ones. Whether it is our kids, parents, spouse or even close friends.  Pastor Jakes talks about his interrupted trip with his son’s illness, but even more touching and eye-opening was the scene of Mary, seeing Jesus crucified.

There are many times in our life when we cry out  Why is this happening to me? What did I do wrong? Why me?

I cannot imagine seeing a loved one murdered, but also Mary, knowing that God’s son was dying. She was a failure as a mother, she could not even protect the messiah from the world.

What unexpected trauma or medical emergency comes to mind in your own experience tha has left you feeling crushed at the time?  How long ago was this crushing event? How has it’s consequences left an impact on you since then?

Describe how Mary may have felt the victim on the day of Calvary. How would John do in comforting her, as well as dealing with losing his closest friend.

There is a crucial difference between pruning and punishment: intention.  The truth of the matter is that Jesus had to die to be resurrected to overcome death and redeem us. As painful and gruesome the scene, it was a glorious act by God with definitive intention.

We shouldn’t try to figure out how we suffer something, but why. We can ask; “What possible purpose could such unbearable moments have in God’s purpose for our life?” It is based on the key thought of how God is in control, even as we wonder.

Instead, our life events in those dramatic times of devastation often feel totally out of our control, and we might even wonder if they’re out of God’s control. But nothing is beyond God’s power, authority, and sovereignty. He knows what He’s doing even when we can’t fathom what possible good might come from a painful event.

God does not cut us to kill us. , but to heal us.   We can really see the contrast between a thug in a knife fight with us and a doctor with a scalpel. It all comes down to “intention”.

During times of crushing disappointments, trials, and loses, have you ever felt like God was punishing you? Why did you feel this way? Did others contribute? If so, how?

Being planted and being buried may feel similar, if not identical, but the intention leads to very different outcomes.

The pruning can cause great pain; God allows us to endure even though it causes us pain and discomfort, but it was never intended for punishment. Why would God send His only son to die on the cross for our sins if He planned to continue to punish us?

Drawn to the hurting

Pastor Jakes shares how he believes that the most poignant and powerful moments in our lives happen when God takes us through instructional and developmental seasons of suffering. He goes on to explain that he feels drawn to the lost and hurting people.

He shared that he used to struggle with a desire to somehow comfort people with divine wisdom and assuage their feelings about their predicament. Everything in him wanted to offer them words of wisdom right in the moment, but the Father stopped him because there was something He wanted to see, something TD’s words would never live up to…

Many of us are involved, and drawn to recovery, and with these insights of pruning, intention and opportunity for future seasons of harvest, how does that benefit your approach to community within recovery?

Why Not You?

We read the foundational scripture today in John 15:2…

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

We can look around the table today and see other vines that have been pruned , all at different stages. Some in painful situations right now in the midst of pruning, others struggling with new growth, some on the brink of a harvest and yet others wondering when the pruning will begin and the challenges arise.

We can stay in the process and be pruned as He fashions us to look more like him, or we can choose our immediate, temporary comfort. It is a choice.

It is unclear if we learn the most about life, about ourselves, about relationships, about love, about God during life’s most challenging moments. Because when our world falls apart and we’re confronted by a crisis or catastrophe, then our priorities come into sharp focus. We suddenly see what matters most, and we focus accordingly.

The pain of loss, uncertainty and frustration are never easy or pleasant, but we need to recognize that God is not pruning me because I’ve done something wrong.

What season are you in? Can you put it in perspective of this life cycle we have been learing about? Can you see patterns in your life over time how God pruned you for harvesting seasons?

The promise of pruning should never bring sorrow and heartache to anyone attached to Christ. Rather, God’s approach with his pruning shears should inspire confidence and joy because we are being prepared to grow and give birth to something even better. If there is any doubt about God’s love for us, the blessings He’s given us and his preparation of us for the next season is positive proof that not only does the Vinedresser love us, but there is also fruit and life after pruning.

Have confidence in God’s ability to do the impossible and to surprise you with His joy, comfort you with His peace, and fulfill you with His purpose. Pruning is not punishment – it’s the beginning of your greatest season yet!!

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This next week, take the time to look at the people around you. Acknowledge how others are in different seasons. Listen, comfort and if possible, encourage those being pruned. Support and love those after the pruning that may be in a season of new growth.

We move on this week with chapter 5 “Blood of the Vine“…