Grow Sunflowers, Grow!

Sunflowers, the bright yellow, sunshiny faces that mark summer's end bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. I have harvested an abundance of these delightful flowers in my garden this year.

I discovered, quite by accident, that the more that I harvest the more they bloom! I have filled my home over and over with them over the past month and have given away dozens. What a joy!

The power of life radiates strong in these towering giants. Several of them have stretched over 9 feet tall.

Truly, God has made the earth to bring forth life and to sustain it. However, it is the pruning that creates the abundance. Without it, only a few flowers bloom. It is the cutting away that unleashes more life and growth.

Is it any different for us?

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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: 1-3

What exactly does pruning look like?

I can tell you from my own life experience what it looks like.

In the past I have wandered away from the Lord. He had to lob off my branches of sin. He cut deep and swift. It was painful. But, He did it because He loves me and I am so thankful!

I have also let fear win the battle for my mind and in those moments His pruning knife is gentle and tender, but sharp and direct nonetheless.

At other times, it's my words or lack of words that become a wild branch that need to be snapped off. Again, the cut comes deep and swift.

All the while, I could resist. I could turn and run from His pruning knife to avoid the pain.

But, who would I be now if I had?!?!

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

-Hebrews 12:11

I am so very thankful for His loving hands taking off dead branches and pruning others over the course of my life. And, He is not done with me yet. As long as I have breath in my lungs the process continues.

Pray with me...

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your pruning knife in our lives. Thank You that You love us so much that You don't leave us as we are! Instead, You cut away the ugly and dead stuff so that new growth can come. We surrender and let You place the blade just where it needs to go. Bring new growth with each cut and bring glory to Your name in the process. In Jesus Name, Amen