(2013 Recapped in Illustrations)

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.
(John 15:2)

One evening in May 2010, I saw quite healthy oranges by the roadside on my way from Soroti. The site was irresistible that I pulled by the side and bought a couple fruits. But the sales man also had the seedlings of the same variety of oranges on sale. I reluctantly bought just one seedling. When I got home in Jinja, I remembered to plant it in my compound.

The tree is hardly 4 years old and slightly shorter than me in its overall height but has put forth 230 orange fruits. It had taken me quite long to notice it, but one morning I noticed it with a lot of excitement and love for my lovely orange plant. My friend and neighbor, Paul is an agricultural expert with Bsc. Agriculture.

When I introduced my lovely tree to my friend, I expected him to praise my agricultural attempts. Instead, I received criticism for not pruning the plant in time. He assured me of poor quality (small) orange fruits. Pruning would have given me even more fruits with better quality ( bigger ) fruits.

Pastor Isaac and his lovely orange tree at home

The criticism from my friend reminded me of a popular scripture in the Bible about “Pruning” in John 15:2 above.

I can remember year 2013 for two major things; the fierce challenges and the harvest of revival meetings. The two flow together. There can never be any significant fruits minus tangible resistance.

The contrary winds lift up the aircraft. I hunted birds during my childhood. It is a common experience that whenever a bird senses danger, it immediately changes direction contrary to the winds to gain rapid altitude. Similarly, contrary circumstances push us higher spiritually, and Make the Man of God!