Beauty, Growth in the Pruning

While worshipping this morning, I sang, “I want to see You in the simple things in life today.” When I opened my eyes, I noticed a white rose I had just cut from a bush in my yard. Beyond the window stood my giant rose bush, one I never prune. It still produces a few large, wild roses, but with pruning, they could become more abundant and beautiful. Nature has much to teach us when we pause long enough to notice.

Life offers many opportunities for pruning, though we often mistake them for hardship. I often hear people say, “Life is harder now that I have turned my life over to God.” Yet others experience joy and freedom. Our expectations shape our perception. When we see life only through a short-sighted lens, pain can feel overwhelming. But when we focus on the greater purpose and remain eager to learn along the way, hope begins to unfold like an adventure.

I admit that I struggle with an unrealistic expectation wanting life to be good all the time. But what if it is? What defines good? It is easy to overlook the goodness in times of pruning. If life were always easy, we would become complacent. We were created to grow, be pruned, learn, and bear beautiful fruit. John 15:2 says, “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.” Goodness can be found in the pruning of old mindsets that keep us from producing that beautiful fruit.

So, what is this beautiful fruit? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal. 5:22–23). As this fruit grows in us, it brings joy and freedom even in seasons of pruning. Compare what you are feeling with these qualities. Where there is misalignment, examine the beliefs that need to be cut away so new growth, rooted in Scripture, can take their place. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow. He is your helper, and there is no condemnation in pruning.

The pruning in life is good. It doesn’t make sense to cut something to make it grow, yet it is necessary to produce something more beautiful. We do this with our gardens, why not our lives? Learn from nature and stop fighting that which is essential in life. This is key to finding comfort in the uncomfortable.