Witnessing an array of beautiful flowers, spanning all hues of the rainbow in varying shapes and sizes, delights a person’s senses every Spring and Summer. The well-manicured yards and bountiful blossoms do not happen by chance. Countless hours were spent pruning and weeding. All of this behind-the-scenes dedication plays a crucial role in producing nature’s art, which we all enjoy. Just like a garden, flower bed, or yard (the kind a golf course would admire), our lives and souls need tending and pruning, too. In fact, regular “spiritual” pruning produces an enriched soul and, ultimately, a flourishing life.
Nature’s Pruning Versus “Spiritual” Pruning
According to Merriam-Webster’s definition, pruning means cutting away what is unwanted to produce more fruitful growth. Another dictionary (dictionary.com) similarly defines pruning as the removal of anything considered undesirable. Therefore, applying “spiritual” pruning to a person’s life and soul requires a willingness to remove anything unwanted, or undesirable (i.e., negative thoughts, counterproductive behaviors, toxic situations, etc.). These “weeds” in a person’s life deviate from God’s ways, but “spiritual” pruning targets them, restoring the soul and creating a more fulfilling life.
Positive Effects of Pruning as Told Through an Analogy
Earlier today I pruned the flowers I have hanging in front of my home. I focused on removing the dead, dried up, parts which are counterproductive to a healthy plant. Such pruning allows my plants’ flowers to remain healthy and continue growing, blossoming, and flourishing. The sometimes-painstaking process of nurturing hearty plants and flowers better equips the foliage to weather storms when they arise, which they do from time to time.
Just like pruning supports healthy plants, “spiritual” pruning supports healthy souls. When an individual removes the “weeds” in their life, their soul grows in strength and resiliency. A healthy, nourished soul fuels a more vibrant, fulfilling life. Nothing can be more rewarding, and life-affirming, than serving as a witness to others about the power of God’s love and grace.
The process of pruning creates an environment ripe for increased production and a bountiful harvest. Removing a plant’s dead parts along with surrounding weeds provides space for new growth, often multiplying what was initially there. Additionally, creating more space allows sunlight a direct path to further the plant’s growth.
Similar to nature’s plants, the same is true when a person undergoes “spiritual” pruning and weeding. New growth happens because their soul has more space to let in the light of God’s love. Freeing up space in their life by removing the “weeds,” allows God’s message to multiply through their witness, growing new disciples in the process!
No One Must Go Through “Spiritual” Pruning Alone
The entire time I pruned my plants, a butterfly served as my personal assistant. This tiny creature busily flew from flower to flower, pollinating along the way. Similarly, when God seeks to prune a person’s life, He provides them assistance, too.
When faced with difficult moments of “spiritual” pruning, aid often comes in the form of other people whom God has placed along the journey. These individuals provide help, or support, in any number of ways, including the following: wisdom, a listening ear, encouraging words, monetary support, discernment, a kind gesture (i.e., hug), or an openness to accompany the person through the tough time. Sometimes, God’s assistance may even appear in the form of a friend’s willingness to lovingly speak the truth (no matter how difficult it might be to hear).
Our Creator never intended for His children to go through life alone. He desires for His creation to walk alongside each other through all seasons of life, including times of pruning, just like the butterfly remained present for me.
Long-Lasting Implications of Pruning
Despite a person’s best efforts, flowers eventually wither, and plants eventually die. Nevertheless, as avid gardeners know, seeds can be harvested during pruning and planted later. In this way, the beauty and vibrancy of the original plants and flowers continue long after their existence. This is part of God’s plan for life and renewal.
Just like plants perish, an individual’s body will eventually pass on, too. The good news, however, is if God’s children willingly accept His “spiritual” pruning, their enriched souls will continue to live eternally in Heaven with Him. In addition, the vibrant, flourishing lives God’s children have lived will continue to multiply through the seeds they planted (i.e., new disciples who will spread, or “pollinate,” God’s Word).
What Jesus Says about WHY “Spiritual” Pruning is Necessary
If one desires to live a more Christ-like life, the best example to follow is that of Jesus. During The Last Supper before His crucifixion, Jesus spoke to the disciples about pruning. Scripture tells us, Jesus’s message is:
“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). According to Jesus, even He had areas in which pruning was necessary! Therefore, each of us should take heart in knowing God loves His children, which is why He prunes us. He wants each of us to have a fruitful life and have it in abundance!
What Scripture Says about HOW We Can Help God During “Spiritual” Pruning
Since the purpose behind pruning is to remove anything undesirable with the goal of making it more fruitful, then one could view the devil, and anything which moves a person away from living a more Christ-like life, as undesirable and in need of removal. With that in mind, the book of Ephesians states, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11, NIV). Therefore, we should identify and remove any dark thoughts, behaviors, or situations, which serve to separate us from God.
In case you might be wondering, how am I supposed to eliminate dark thoughts, behaviors, and situations, especially when negative thoughts happen spontaneously, and temptations exist everywhere? (Check out the posts “Exercising Your Gratitude ‘Muscles’ Even in Dark Times” and “Proceed with Caution: The Pitfall of Temptation Minefields Abounds.”) Well, I have good news for you! Scripture provides guidance for these questions, too.
First, think in terms of living for things of this world versus living for eternity in Heaven with God. According to the book of Galatians, “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8, NIV). In essence, strive to focus on righteous living and eternal life spent with God, instead of things of this world.
Scripture also tells us, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” (Galatians 5:17-18, NIV). Instead, spend your time focusing on things aligned with God. Making this cognitive shift is paramount for “spiritual” pruning because “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). Notice how nothing about the fruit of the Spirit is negative, reinforcing the need for “spiritual” pruning.
The Rewards of “Spiritual” Pruning According to Scripture
Finally, once God’s children allow themselves to undergo pruning, they will find they have more time and energy to devote to God-centered thoughts and activities. This is important, especially considering Christ’s parting message to His disciples before ascending to Heaven. According to Scripture, He says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28: 19-20, NIV). This command has come to be known as The Great Commission, which all of God’s children are to follow.
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
God uses challenging times to conduct “spiritual” pruning in our lives. Through these moments, our Heavenly Father shapes each of us into who He made us to be. For our part, we must be willing to accept the pruning, so we can become the best version of ourselves. The process will not always be easy, but the rewards are great. An enriched soul (for eternity with God) and a flourishing life (witnessing to others about God) await. Have an open, willing heart and let the “spiritual” pruning begin…no gardening gloves or shears needed!