By Carol Round – “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 15:2 (NLT).
Each year as the summer wanes, I force myself to continue pruning my flowers or deadheading them. In the horticulture world, deadheading means removing faded blooms, especially in flower gardens. After the plants are pruned, more blooms emerge.
In the spring, I’m filled with energy and excitement as I dig holes to plant my flowers. Pruning them as they grow isn’t a chore, but a delight because I know it will increase the number of blossoms. My enthusiasm, however, decreases as the summer days go by, sapping my energy and spirit.
The one thing keeping me motivated is the beauty of God’s creation. My flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Without pruning, my flowers droop and fade.
Drooping Flowers Also Require Moisture
We’ve had a wet summer with record rainfall. But toward the end of July, the rain showers dwindle into spurts of sporadic sprinkling. Earlier this summer, I installed a soaker hose in my largest front flowerbed. The flowers and bushes should receive moisture underneath and close to the roots.
Watering my plants reminds me of Jesus, the Living Water. Just as water refreshes and quenches our thirst, so does the Spirit give life to believers, enabling God to produce fruit in our lives.
Without pruning and watering, my flowers won’t produce blooms. The pollinators who visit my flowerbed each day would suffer as well. If I get distracted and forget to water, the hot sun takes its toll.
Getting Distracted from Our Spiritual Life
In John 15:1-4, Jesus reminds us of the purpose of pruning. “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 words 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.”
How often do we let the things of this world distract us from Jesus? Do we spend less time in the Word? Are we attending church less, finding entertainment or other activities more appealing? Have you stopped participating in small groups created specifically for our spiritual growth and edification?
Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. When our growth is stunted, the pruning process begins. Sometimes, the trials we experience are painful. But the Master Gardener knows what is best for us. God’s desire is for us to cultivate a deeper, more fulfilling walk with Jesus so we can become more like Him.
I always love hearing from my readers. Please e-mail me at [email protected] with your thoughts or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, contact me at the above e-mail address or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo by Margarita Shtyfura on Unsplash
