When the Master Gardner Prunes

Pruning is a vital step in gardening. We cut back dead branches as well as branches that are crossing or invading other branches.  Pruning can also create a desired shape. How we prune will determine the health of the plant and/or the blossoms. For example, if we prune a hydrangea to the ground, it will not kill the bush but we will have no flowers the following spring.  Flowers bloom from the previous year’s growth, therefore, removing the entire bush’s beauty for the next season.

So, why all this pruning talk on this particular blog? It stems from an old book that is sadly no longer in print. The premise of this great read was to live decisively for Jesus and to live focused on Jesus. The author suggested periodically taking time out of life to sit before God, evaluating life’s activities and responsibilities. She viewed her life like a tree but I have adapted her idea to the following.

·        The trunk of the tree represents my relationship with Christ.

·        The roots are what feed that relationship: prayer, Bible reading, Bible study and worship.

·        The limbs represent my family, job, ministry, and personal development.

·        The branches are the activities and opportunities of life.

Our lives, just like trees, get out of balance.  Over time one limb becomes too dense and another too sparse. Or there may be branches that are taking nutrients from the main limbs, translated as activities taking nutrients from my relationship with Christ. Or the root system is not healthy enough to support the tree. This is the time to take out my pruning shears.

The first thing I evaluate is the root system. Am I spending quality time with Jesus every day?  If this area of my life is not healthy, then I know that the trunk of my tree is skinny and the limbs are not being supported spiritually. Then I evaluate my main limbs (responsibilities of life). These change over life’s seasons. During one season, I may have an occupation but, during a later season, I might be retired. Or during one season, I have no children.  In the next season, my home is full of children. Therefore, the limbs have to be evaluated as well. Some are removed and some might be added.

Next, I evaluate the branches looking for dead branches.  These lifeless activities do nothing to feed the responsibilities of life or my relationships with family, friends and Jesus. These branches are cut out first.

After that, I search for branches that are crossing over one another, choking the life out of one or both of the branches.  An example might be heavy ministry requirements choking out family life.  One of those branches needs to be pruned back. It does not remove the major limbs of ministry and family life but it does cut off a branch or two that is taking nutrients that other limbs need.

Finally, I try not to prune away too much in order to reap a harvest for future seasons as in the hydrangea. Taking careful time to choose which branches to prune and which ones to keep requires godly wisdom.

When I put my shears away, I access the roots of the tree once again. I want to insure that time and energy have been set aside to spend time in God’s word, in prayer and in worship. Typically, I am pleased to find that through pruning at the top of the tree, I discover plenty of time for the bottom of the tree. Then my trunk becomes healthy again, feeding the limbs and branches of life.

As I write about this process, I am looking at my life with shears in hand. What needs to be removed?  Do I need to water and fertilize the roots? Just like gardening, I need to schedule regular time to spend before the Lord praying and listening for he is the Master Gardener of our life! What about you? How does your tree look today? Is your root system healthy?

Bev