Pruning time

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.(NKJ)

I had planned sleeping in a bit this Saturday morning, but those plans were changed when the birds began chirping as the sun was rising.   Not able to go back to sleep, we decided to go out into the yard and rake the leaves and pick up some previously trimmed branches.

While I gathered the leaves and branches,  Fernando began trimming some of our macadamia  and grapefruit trees with the chainsaw.  We  do this several times a year, especially before the rainy season sets in.

If you have ever lived in an area with heavy rains, then you can understand the phrase ¨It grows overnight.¨  Our yard turns a lush dark green, the grass grows at record speed, and trimming is very necessary.

As Fernando began trimming, I knew it was time for me to receive a spiritual pruning from the Lord.

When we trim our trees and thin out the branches,  they come out stronger.  I understood that we trim them because they are not bringing anything of value to the fruit, they actually cause the stronger fruit to become weaker.

As believers, we need to make sure that what bring to the table is of value to His people. For that to happen,  pruning is in order.

After the trimming and pruning, we later put the foliage in an area to burn.  I knew in my Spirit  that after we let the Lord prune us,  it is later burned, forgotten, and no longer a part of us.   We in turn, become stronger and  bolder.

What the Lord has  pruned  is no longer available for us to go back to, hallelujah!

After a few short months of rain, we notice the beautiful tropical plants are  blooming, and as we have been pruned,  we  begin to shine and bloom for Him.

So, are you ready to have some extra foliage trimmed?   I know mine is due.  Allow the Lord to trim and prune, and become that strong vessel that He desires you to be.

Blessings in Him.