Pruning

After settling into our Florida home, I transplanted a sickly white rose bush growing too close to a tree. Later, our first hurricane prompted me to move it again. The poor bush spent six months in a bucket until I made the front yard its permanent home, near a red relative. With few leaves and zero blooms, both roses struggled. I watered and waited, wondering if multiple relocations or the sandy soil contributed to their spindly condition. Down the street, the neighbor’s roses bloomed year round proving Florida could accommodate this variety. What was the secret?

“They need to be pruned,” my husband said one day.

I sighed, already knowing that little tidbit. I hated loping off branches which showed promise. “You do it,” I replied. 

He did. Removing “suckers” and old growth, he hacked back both plants until they resembled ugly vertical sticks in the ground. 

I’m reminded of Jesus’s words, “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” John 15:1–4 NIV.

The words above which focus on remaining close to Jesus evoke feelings of comfort and security. Yes! Stay close to the Savior and all will be well. But the pruning part? Oh, no. Pruning hurts! Pruning trims away the potential. Or does it?

The verses explain that unproductive branches must be removed. They rob an otherwise healthy plant of energy and limit its growth. Intentional and purposeful chopping is necessary when rot or disease is present. Left unattended, the sickness can spread. I think we would all agree to chopping off those branches. Bring out the clippers! However, when the growth seems healthy enough—even displaying tender leaves—that’s another matter.

Does your life resemble a gangly rose bush, putting out branches in every direction? Are you involved in so many activities you’re not sure where to focus your energy? Like an overgrown bush, our overbooked schedules zap our resources and steal our joy.

Perhaps a little thinning is in order. 

Yet, we still resist pruning. Why? 

Some endeavors become our pet projects. When we had two small children, I started a mom’s group at my church. During that time, as the program grew so did my involvement. Eventually, God blessed me with two more children and my days were filled to the brim, but I struggled to release the responsibilities. Eventually, a move forced me to pass the baton.

At times we pay too close attention to what others are doing. Similar to admiring the roses across the street, we compare our lives with those around us. The old phrase “trying to keep up with the Joneses” applies to activities as well. 

Friend, we can only do what He has called us to do. Everything else will drain our energy like a sucker on a rose bush. By the way, “sucker” is a real term used to define the sudden off-shoot on a rose. The fast-growing branch produces no flowers and steals the nutrients. Why would we want energy-draining activities to distract from God’s calling for us?

After my husband hacked away at my bushes, they sprouted leaves on every remaining branch and produced multiple buds. My husband’s action proved what we know from John 15, pruning increases yield. 

We want to be productive for Jesus, don’t we? What tasks could be removed from your life? Ask the Lord to reveal them, take a deep breath, and let Him trim away. He is the Master Gardner after all. We can trust Him.