Hair Cuts and Prunings—the Lord Made Them Both

In His wisdom, God has created the need for both haircuts and prunings. Though we don't pretend to know all His thoughts about such matters, I think I have a clue or two.

I remember being appointed—without opportunity to decline—to serve on the "male hair enforcement committee" in the 1970s at Trevecca where we tried to live out "authentic standards of behavior." Our problem hairstyles often forced us to change rules between students' haircuts. And, though most of those well-meaning leaders who signed our paychecks are now in glory, I want to apologize for my part in not making the differences between haircuts and prunings more clear. Let me see if I can do a better job this time.

The Contrast

Most of us think prunings hurt more than haircuts, or maybe we just think it should be that way. But there is one very big difference—haircuts seldom determine destinies or transform character; prunings always have the potential to do so.

Welcome Prunings

Almost as soon as Jesus starts the paragraph in John 15, He begins telling us what we can expect from the Vinedresser. Two things become progressively clearer as we read: (1) no fruit is possible without pruning and (2) fruit-bearing is expected.

Since you know pruning is a never-ending process and to be expected, why not get it as early as possible and enjoy the benefits longer?

Never fear what He wants to do in and through you. This Vinedresser is the near side of God who is interested in your personal spiritual growth and development. He came to make you like Him, and His work is always wonderful to behold. In fact, you can probably find someone who is willing to let you cut line in front of them, so your pruning will always be on time or ahead of schedule. Finding such a person shouldn't be too hard, because the majority of folks believe pruning hurts more than it helps.

Jesus has a special interest in your prunings. Welcome His fine-tuning, corrections, and timing. After all, this is one of our Lord's divine specialties—a procedure to fine-tune your specific walk with Christ.

Pruning + Fruit-Bearing = Abundant Crops

Hear again what Scripture says about this relationship: "I am the real vine and my Father is the vinedresser." What an amazing sentence! In 12 words it connects Father and Son, even as it connects us to the Father as the pruning agent. Purposeful pruning is His way of shaping us for greater usefulness—present and future. Get it straight, my friend, God's work in us is always for a reason.

If I had to make it through heaven's gates on my own merit, I'd have lots of reason for fear, but I'm not afraid because of Jesus. However, it sure would be embarrassing to hear my Master say, "Neil, you were good, but good for nothing."

Scripture warns that prunings are not intended to be enjoyable or fun, but they are always for a reason, and, in most situations, for a specific result: to increase our usefulness and enable us to do more for Christ's cause.

To be used for a great cause is among life's greatest satisfactions. You can count on it—God will use prunings for His purpose and, more often than not, for the purpose of making you more like Jesus.

Neil B. Wiseman has served the Church as writer, editor, preacher, pastor, and educator for more than 50 years.

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