The Importance of Pruning

Christmas arrived with such a flurry, then just as quickly it was gone for another year. 2018 was drawing to a close. Another year. Where had the time gone?

Recently I came across an analogy for finishing something and starting something new. It was suggested that we write down all the things that are bothering us and feed them into a shredder. All our unwanted emotions, fears, bad habits, and anything that has been holding us back should all be shredded so we can move along and start afresh.

The symbolic gesture and the idea and vision of a clean slate were appealing, however, it isn’t possible to merely get rid of everything that bothers us. It isn’t possible to sweep things away which may be of importance, even and especially if they are unpleasant. No matter what sort of shredder we use, and how tiny the pieces are that fall into the bin, if we aren’t careful those same feelings and difficulties will return and appear to be larger than they were before they met the shredder.

Many people, including myself, see a new year coming in as a chance to make changes in their lives, and essentially there is nothing wrong with that. However, what happens when we make some New Year resolutions (e.g. to lose 20 kilos before winter, to finish that first draft … finally, to never gossip again) and within a few days or weeks, our plans have gone to mush?

As human beings, we are funny creatures who often believe we can do everything by ourselves. No help is required. Oh, and the shame of it all when our plans backfire. If only we had realised that rather than trying to scratch out or shred the previous year’s mistakes and misadventures, all we need to do is let ourselves be pruned.

‘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.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.’  ~ John 15:1-4

It isn’t up to us to solve everything. It isn’t possible. As John mentions in the verse above, only our heavenly Father can dispose of those things which bear no fruit. What a refreshing and calming thought.

As I look into my neglected rose garden this year, I feel sad that I was not more diligent, however, with some weeding, fertilizing, water, and of course pruning, I know those roses will not only survive but move into the next season to be the beauties they were seasons before.

As for myself, I cannot erase the mistakes of the past or the things that irk me. Instead, I can treat those things of the past as learning experiences, and trust my Lord and Saviour to chop off what isn’t necessary for the remainder of my journey, and gently prune me from season to season, enabling my best fruits to flourish.

I am aware that Christmas has definitely passed; in fact, we are now in the third month of this New Year. So Lent has arrived and as we look forward to the coming Easter season, why not look toward this as another fresh start? As we lay down our burdens at the foot of the cross, let’s truly lay them down, leave them there and let the Father take care of the rest.

Many of us visualise welcoming in a new year with resolutions. I know I always did. Nowadays, I am beginning to accept that each day is an opportunity for a fresh start … if only I will let Him.

What do you think? Do you continue to make and break New Year’s resolutions?  Maybe making these resolutions works for you. I would love to hear from you. Let me know what you think.