Suckers

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. . .” (John 15:8)

Children and adults as well enjoy lollipops on a stick. Gullible people, people easily convinced to do someone’s bidding with the slightest encouragement, fill the world. But neither of these is the topic today. Let’s consider tomato plants.

If you have ever grown tomatoes, the term “sucker” is familiar. Suckers on a tomato plant are the lush branches that make it look full and thriving—but they are “sucking” life from the plant. Although attractive, these branches are non-productive; they will never produce fruit. Instead, they drain the plant of vital nutrients. Sometimes, there is hesitancy to remove them because the plant looks healthy; but the harvest will be minimal unless removed.

Your life may look full and thriving, but you feel sluggish, weighed-down, unfulfilled. Take a spiritual inventory: Are you over-extending yourself, engaged in activities and ministries that are good but not assigned for you to do? Do you go with people who do not share your Christian values or who are always negative? Are you more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing God? If your answer is “Yes” to any of these questions or similar ones, you have “sucker branches,” and it’s your responsibility to sever them.

Life-pruning can be difficult and sometimes painful, especially if the “branch” looks healthy. No matter how noteworthy a ministry or activity, let it go if it is not God’s plan for you. No matter how painful to sever an unhealthy relationship, cut it off; you can minister to people apart from being close friends. If you leave these “suckers” unattended, they will steadily draw nutrients from your life, leaving you drained spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, and often with minimal fruit production.

In chapter fifteen, Jesus says He is the Vine of His Father’s vineyard, and we, the Father’s children, are the branches attached to the Vine. God will remove unproductive branches, but those that do produce, He prunes so they will bring forth more fruit (vs. 2, 4). God’s pruning is sometimes challenging but always for His glory and our good. Jesus said a fruitful life is the sign of a true disciple and blesses His Father (v. 8).