Scripture: John 15:1-2
Journal: What does God’s pruning look like in your life these days? How is he cutting away the old in order to
make good room for new life and growth?
Reflection:
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.” (John 15:1-2, NIV)
Contrary to popular opinion,
pruning is not a bad thing…in the spiritual life, I mean. Oh sure, it sounds painful and awful, and I
cringe whenever I hear the word, but it is actually a beautiful and necessary
thing. It is not just about getting rid
of that which is old and dead and ugly within us—which sounds so hard and
shameful—but it is also about taking that which is already fruitful and making
space for even more fruit to grow. It is
about letting go of the old (even in the cases where the old has been wonderful),
in order to embrace the new.
The problem is that we like
the old. We have grown used to it. We are comfortable with it. And let’s face it, we suck at letting
go. When we have something that is
working for us, we hold onto it for dear life, no matter how functional or
dysfunctional it may be. We like the old
and the familiar. We like being in
control. Letting go flies directly in
the face of all of that. So we hold
on. That’s why this pruning is
necessary. We typically will not be able
to let go on our own, God has to help the process along.
The word for prune in
the Greek is kathairō, which also means to cleanse or to purge. It is a necessary part of growth, both for a
plant, as well as a heart and soul. A
thing can only grow if there is room for it.
Thus, space must be made. The
saints of old understood this. They
often referred to this pattern of spiritual growth using the words purgation,
illumination, and union. Thus, the
soul must first be purged of the many things occupying it, in order for
something new and beautiful to come about.
The old might have indeed been great for a time, or a season, but once a
new season begins the old must give way.
The leaves of autumn must fall to the ground before the new leaves of
spring can come. And so it is with a
soul.
The beautiful part of the
image is that we are not solely responsible for this pruning, it is in the
hands of the Gardener. He knows just how
to do it. And thankfully he has very
gentle hands. All we need to do is to be
open, receptive, and responsive to his divine touch.
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: I am yours, O God, do with me as you
please. Help me to be open and receptive
to your strong and loving hands. Amen.
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