When? Where? How?

my tended plant

my untended plant

The last couple weeks I’ve spent hours pruning my attractive orange berry holly trees and weeding around my flowering bushes. In the past I didn’t know that the pruning process needs to be done correctly in order to maintain and create continued beauty. For instance, the cutting back of shoots that will drain nutrients needed by a plant, must be trimmed during the right time. Is the plant in its dormant or growing season? So the gardener chooses just the right time to prune. The plant offshoot also has to be severed at a strategic point on the branch to avoid damaging the tree or shrub.

Now the weeds, they are really a pain! Some have shallow roots and can be gently coaxed from the soil. Others have extremely strong thick roots. It takes more muscle power than I have to eradicate these ones. Using a pruning fork and small shovel, I have to pry and dig until the deed is done. The result of the loving care and pruning is well worth the effort. Beautiful trees and radiantly flowered bushes are fruitful in sight and scent.

Jesus explains in John 15: 2 that our heavenly Father must prune our branches that bear fruit. Curiously it seems that God chooses the “When” on our season or timeline, as well. Certainly our hearts must be ready to hear God’s instructive or corrective voice.

“Where” to prune or sever is an easy decision for God. Our problem at times is not seeing an area of sin or neglect that needs to be cut back. And the “How” is not always easy or pleasant as our Gardener tugs at our rooted habits and incorrect thinking patterns. But the last phrase of verse two reveals the motivation for the loving pruning, ‘that it may bear more fruit.’ Our lives then result in a more Christ-like sight and scent.

Suggested further reading: Hebrews 12: 3-11