As I was driving to church for a meeting, I passed some workers trimming trees along the roadway to avoid the electrical lines. This got me thinking of how we should be doing our own Lenten pruning.
When we think about our Lenten journey, pruning should be a common practice as it is a way to remove the things in our lives that are bad or superfluous in order to improve our spiritual integrity and growth. Think of it as a way to clear or cleanse ourselves of anything that prevents us from living the life that God desires for us. If we can remove those things that deaden our spiritual beings, we will be able to better nourish our personal relationship with the Lord and with others.
Take a moment today to go outside and gaze at the trees. When you notice sections that are overgrown or in need of some trimming, think about how we can prune the portions of our lives that keep us from reaching our God-given potential, and know that through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we can clear out and eliminate those things that occupy the spaces of our minds and hearts so to make more room for God to produce good fruit in us.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. ~John 15:1-3
Is Lent going too fast for you? You might want to read this.
