Weeds Get in the Way

Among the bare branches, delicate flowers start to bloom, showing how pruning can bring new life even when weeds keep coming back.

In my last blog, I mentioned that God had separated me from my normal responsibilities so I could rest, heal, and reconnect with Him. I want to again express my gratitude for the prayers and support I’ve been receiving. I am getting better, healing well, still needing to rest a good bit, and I recently started driving again. Praise God for progress!! 🙌🏽

A very dear friend was visiting and helping me with my plants. (BTW, I do NOT have a green thumb! 😄) She was pulling weeds, and we discussed the need to remove the brown parts of the plant. After she left, I couldn’t stop thinking about the process of pruning. Any other gardeners out there? What do you like most—or least—about pruning?

I’ve learned from observation and reading that the purpose of pruning is to improve a plant’s health, structure, or appearance. Pruning encourages desired growth patterns, gets rid of dead material, and maintains the shape and size of your plant. It also promotes the production of fruit.

Part of the plant care process includes removing weeds—unwanted plants that compete with your crops or flowers for water, sunlight, nutrients, and space. Weeds get in the way. There’s so much more I could say about weeds, but I want to shift my attention to the spiritual application.

We all have “weeds” in our lives—things the enemy uses to suck the life out of us. They can also be distractions, pulling us away from our God-given purpose. Can you think of something that's taking up unnecessary space in your schedule right now?

So, if pruning is so vital in the natural, how much more important is it in the spiritual? In John 15 (NKJV), Jesus says He is the true vine and His Father is the vinedresser. Verse 2 gives us the primary biblical picture of pruning:

"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:2, NKJV)

As a follower of Jesus, I am one of the branches. Our all-wise, all-knowing God prunes the branches that are bearing fruit so they can produce even more fruit.

I just imagine...what if the plants could say “Ouch!” when the pruning takes place? They don’t. They simply yield to the process without murmuring or complaining.

I mentioned earlier that natural pruning improves the health, structure, and appearance of plants. If I totally submit to God's pruning—His removing, His cutting away, His reshaping, His remolding—if I remind myself that the pain is not punishment, I would be much more accepting of His will. (Romans 8:28)

Whatever God is doing—as the Author and Finisher—is ultimately to remove the distractions and hindrances to my spiritual growth. WHATEVER He brings into my life is designed to help me bear more fruit, to look more like Jesus, and to bring Him glory!!!

So today, let’s not resist the pruning—let’s embrace it, knowing that every cut is the careful work of a loving God shaping us for His greater glory.

What is God pruning in your life right now? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 🌿