Welcoming Growth and Change- Let the Pruning Begin!
Individuals who love gardening know that in order to keep a rose bush looking healthy and beautiful it has to be pruned from time to time. Pruning is vital to the health of the rose bush, it helps prevent disease by removing areas that may harbor infestations and also encourages flowering. Roses may look stark after a good pruning, but roses grow very prolifically and will fill in quickly. It's almost impossible to kill a rose bush by over-pruning.
Not allowing the pruning of God can cause us to be stagnent. Like the rosebush we can become diseased in our spirit by harboring things in our heart that should not be there and will ultimate work against us. Bitterness, anxiousness, grief, unforgiveness, self centeredness, anger, to name a few, are some of the things that can cause us to not flourish in life and may rob us of our peace, joy, and blessing that God has for us.
John 15:2 says Every branch in me that bears not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges, that it may bring forth more fruit.
When we feel like we are being stretched and challenged it is not always comfortable. But when we rely on the strength of the Lord and allow His pruning in our lives, we can begin to see growth within ourselves and become stronger in our spirit man.
There are three points to remember. One is that the scriptures that we read, meditate and act on can cause our hearts to change and we grow. There is pruning that takes place was we learn more and more about what God has said in His word. However, being steadfast in that word you have heard is key. Do not allow the things that happen in this life to move you off of His word.
Two, we cannot look for pruning to feel pleasant. Pruning is like surgery, and discipline which can feel tough. It won’t be a fun experience but once we have been pruned by the Lord it brings forth victory, joy and a newfound experience with the Lord. We need to cast our cares on the Lord on a daily basis, not hold on to them, and allow God to work.
And three, ultimately the flesh is being put to death during the pruning process so that we can have a life in Christ to the fullest. Pruning can remove those things that are robbing our peace, joy, health, and mental wellness.
Suggested Scripture Reading
You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. (John 15:3-4 NLT)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)