Pruning – we say the word and we wince.
It is a painful process as we don’t want anything to be removed from us. It doesn’t come naturally. I discovered this when I had to have a molar pulled a few years ago. Once I was in our car, the tears began to roll, not because of any pain (I was still very numb) but due to the loss. The mere thought of losing what was supposed to be permanent brought me tears.
When God prunes, it is for the purpose of health, new growth, and better growth. He prunes what is in the way of our being in deeper relationship with Him.
“I am the true grapevine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” (John 15:1-2, NLT)
Pruning —> better and more abundant fruitfulness.
What might God be wanting to prune from your life? Listen for Him to show you. It can often be even good things which just crowd Him out.
May our prayer be the same as the author’s:
“May I see pruning in a new light – as a gift that leads to more life.”
(from page 76)
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Sometimes I feel some of my prayer requests are “silly” or “trivial”. Yet Psalm 62:8 tells me, “O my people, trust in him at ALL times. Pour out your heart to him” (NLT). It doesn’t give me any pre-conditions or limited circumstances. I actually circled the word “all” in my Bible.
Paul tells us in the Philippians when we do pray about everything, we will experience His peace (see Philippians 4:6-7). Why?
As we do so, His peace will become a guard over our hearts and minds.
Read that again because it is a most powerful action which occurs. We pray and give Him our concerns, and He takes over and guards our hearts and minds.
He will never repeat it. He won’t gossip about it. He won’t criticize you for your request.
Instead, He will be your refuge. Your safe place. And He will guard your heart and mind with His peace.
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God is – He is a restorer. He takes the broken pieces, picking them up and bringing them together, and makes our lives better and more beautiful than we thought they could ever be (see Psalm 147:1-4).
We forget that at times. We can so try to be like others and yet, the only one we are called to be like is Christ.
The author makes this statement in her book which is so powerful to think on:
“Sometimes we can get so caught up in becoming a better version of ourselves that we miss the beauty we already possess.” (page 99)
This world will tell us we need a makeover, a better us, but God says we need a restoration. He wants us to know we are His treasured possession.
Have you ever tried to be like someone else? How might God be calling you back to be “you”, your true self?
Father, today we invite you to restore each of our lives to what you created us to be. Help us to keep our eyes on You, confident that as we are our true self, You will be glorified. Amen.
Such a lovely story, Joanne. I love what you shared about God pruning things out of our life – “It can often be even good things which just crowd Him out.” I get that. I don’t like it, but I get it. 😊 Thank you for sharing your words with the rara linkup. I’ll be sharing this on fb.
I loved this reminder: “He prunes what is in the way of our being in deeper relationship with Him.”
Pruning is never to hurt us or take away from us; pruning is always to bring us closer to Him!
Great post, Joanne! Pruning can be hard but it is important to remember that it is for our good and our growth.
Joanne, without pruning, my flowerbeds would be an absolute mess. And also my life. Wonderful post, my friend!
I’ve never really thought of pruning (at least, Christ’s pruning in my life) as a gift…but isn’t that exactly what it is? That He loves me enough and wants so much for my life (especially that it might reflect Him) that He tenderly and loving prunes away whatever is necessary for that to happen.
I comment but one line, “A Pruned Branch.”