I finally found a place that I can call my “Thicket of Solitude”, my back porch. It’s been a long time coming (and a LOT of bug bites and spray). I bought a few plants that I read can help with the insect population and make it pretty. I have a nice place that I can sit, write, think, and most of all – talk to Jesus!
As I sit here, I’m looking at the plants and I started thinking of the teachings I’ve been a part of recently. GOD has put a lot of good resources, mentors and studies that have really blessed me beyond what I can even put into words. This last one is still on my mind…
We finished a Women’s Bible Study at church before we took a break for Summer – Finding I Am by Lysa Terkeurst.
In one of the videos, she referred to I AM in John 15: 1 – 8. (NIV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
She talked about the pruning process and how it helps us grow in Christ. She was in an olive grove in Israel; it was fascinating seeing the trees and since I can’t remember exactly what the pruning process of the tree was – what do I do? Head straight to Google – of course!
I like plants, so I know that pruning is necessary and each plant has a season that’s best for it. Pruning makes the tree healthier and it produces more fruit. It also doesn’t happen until the tree is mature enough to handle the thinning and can thrive afterwards.
The best time to trim an olive tree is between Winter’s end and the tree flowering.
They’re trimmed using a style called open-center pruning. Branches are trimmed from the center so more light can flood the open branches that are left and produce more blooms. More blooms on the tree means more fruit for harvest.
We as Christ followers should be “pruned” regularly. As we grow in our relationship with HIM, spend time in the Word and prayer, HE will remove the things and people in our lives that aren’t thriving to help us grow and open up to the Light. The more light that we get, the more we bloom and we produce more fruit in our lives to share with others around us.
What does pruning look like in real life? It may be something as simple as cutting down our time on the Internet, TV or phone to study and pray; it could be harder by cutting toxic people or relationships out of our lives. Whatever it is that’s keeping us from being connected to the True Vine needs to be cut so we can produce good fruit and be effective in the world.
It may be painful at first, and you’ll have holes where the pruned branches used to be. Pray for GOD to bring people into your life to speak Truth; find a Bible Study group to help you learn more about the Word. Find an opportunity to serve at your church; join a Prayer group that can lift you up and in the process bring others into your life to pray for.
Pruning lets the Light shine through and the blooms will be so gorgeous! And there will be such an abundance of fruit that will be produced. You’ll have so much fruit that you’ll have to share it with the people around you. Then seeds will be planted from the harvest you bring and new trees could be planted.
Where are you in this growth process?
Are you being pruned, waiting for blooms, or harvesting fruit? Either way, HE will be pleased as long as you’re attached to the True Vine.
Thanks for another great blog post Pam! In addition to us pruning things from our lives in order to get His light shining on more areas, I’ve noticed that He Himself has a way of doing that to us. I often don’t understand it at first, but then I notice that I’m becoming more dependent upon Him when it happens, and that brings me into a closer relationship with Him. He’s a pretty cool Gardener! PS. I loved the photo of your back porch!!!
Loved reading this Pam makes my heart smile Blessins so needed
Hi, friend!
Thank you for the reminder that pruning is necessary in all walks of our life to keep us flourishing in Him!💞