There are times in my life when slowing down helped things become clearer. Small occurrences have also helped me to prune: the unexpected sick day that shifts my focus, the suddenly canceled plans. I am learning to ask questions and sit long enough to ponder the answers. Quiet places, seemingly empty spaces, often bear the most fruit of all.
According to Jesus, pruning happens so that our joy may be made complete (John 15:11). In life, we plant more seeds than will thrive. More branches grow than will do well together. God’s gift of growth includes pruning – moving us away from fear and stagnation to joy and abundance.
Though we may be asked to make some pruning decisions in our lives, we are not the Gardener. We can rest secure, rooted in God’s love, called to let go and grow. Maybe the fruit isn’t something we intentionally make, but something we’re conduits for. We get to be part of the flourishing of God’s creation.
This message is excerpted from “Time for pruning” by Cara Strickland in the July/August 2022 Gather magazine. Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter.
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