This is the time of year to prune bushes and trees. They need the winter to heal and restore after a pruning, so they can grow healthier, fuller, and with more blossoms in the spring and summer. I have been pruning our bushes and trees and have been giving them a deeper pruning than I usually do. Several of them, have gotten overgrown for the space they are in, and needed to be cut back severely. I prune off their dead and damaged branches, shape the bushes and trees and cut them back to a size fitting the space they have in my garden. My motivation for pruning my garden, is that the plants will be healthier in the long run, even though they are being hurt in the short run when I cut their branches.
I think that God—the Master Gardener—does this with me and you. He prunes us—He takes things out of our lives, takes away the dead and damaged and makes us more fitting to what our role is in the body of Christ. In all of us, He seeks to conform us to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29)
Jesus died to free us from our sin, and God is not content to leave us in our sin. He wants us to experience the freedom we have in Him; He wants us to experience His love and forgiveness; He wants us to truly experience intimacy in our relationship with Him.
There is a song called, “Scars” by I am They and there is a line that goes—“I’m Thankful for the scars, because without them, I wouldn’t know Your heart.”
I can so relate to this song. It is in the pruning of my life, that I have seen God’s heart towards me– His commitment to me– His intense love for me.
That sounds like a contradiction—and yet it is not. It shows me I really am His child. (Hebrews 12:6)
When I am pruned by God—I know, He is in charge, He has the best in mind for me, He loves me so much, He is not content to leave me in my broken and shattered state.
So—the next time it seems as if God is pruning you—I hope you’ll remember that He is motivated by His great love for you—and you will be encouraged!!
Lyrics to “Scars”
Waking up to a new sunrise
Looking back from the other side
I can see now with open eyes
Darkest water and deepest pain
I wouldn’t trade it for anything
Cause my brokenness brought me to You
And these wounds are a story You’ll use
So I’m thankful for the scars
Cause’ without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful for the scars
Now I’m standing in confidence
With the strength of Your faithfulness
And I’m not who I was before
No, I don’t have to fear anymore
So I’m thankful for the scars
Cause’ without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful for the scars
I can see, I can see How You delivered me
In Your hands, In Your feet I found my victory
I’m thankful for Your scars Cause’ without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And with my life I’ll tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful
for I’m thankful for the scars Cause’ without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful for the scars
Encouragement for you!! 