Trusting the Gardener

It’s about this time of the year when the roses in front of my desk windows need pruning, not just deadheading so that the next crop of flowers come, but the pruning that leads to reshaping the bush, cutting away the dead stuff and letting what is new grow next season. Only I’m not a great gardener, I’m sure the roses would prefer me to become more skilled.

 It’s got me thinking what would God prune in my life, there’s some obvious stuff, the stuff I want him to take…and have for a long time, but what about the stuff that’s too painful, or to precious, am I willing to let him have that. The stuff that hurts, but I don’t want to go near, or have anyone near… The stuff that is precious, that I feel good about and want to hold onto, but might be getting in the way of growth. I had a couple of long discussions about pruning this week and at the end of the day I’m glad that we are in the hands of a master gardener, not my rather sad, mishandled snips.

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1-2 ESV