pruning

The Lord prompted me to go out to our rose garden this morning, so I grabbed the pruning shears and a bucket on my way. As I snipped off the dead blooms, He spoke to me about the pruning that He does in my life.

Pruning is necessary. Shriveled blooms must be removed to make room for new blossoms. Wayward branches must be trimmed back to keep the rose bush where it belongs. Diseased portions must be trimmed off to keep the plant healthy.

God has many reasons for pruning things out of my life.  He may see a relationship, job, ministry, locale, or habit as unhealthy, diseased, or beyond fruitfulness.

Pruning is painful.  As I trimmed off old blooms that were clearly dead, the green flesh of each stem was visible. The branches were still full of life! There was no “snap” heard when I cut off the dead flower because the stem was still tender. I was instantly reminded of times in my life when God’s pruning felt like a wound in the tender places of my heart.

God may trim something that seems perfectly healthy or fruitful. It may be very painful to let go. There may be serious grieving involved! In His wisdom, the Lord may remove something for no apparent reason than to make room for something else. We must trust His hands as the Master Gardener and let Him do the work.

I’m being pruned as we speak! I keep trying to talk the Lord into keeping this particular branch. I see life in it! This morning, He agreed with me that there was still some value in it. However, there is far more value in letting it go to make room for something new.

Bittersweet. The pain of letting go combined with the joy and anticipation of God’s faithful work in my life. He is worthy of my trust, so I will let go….