Being asked to let go of something good is hard. But what if letting go of that good thing allows for something better?
Jesus' words to His disciples in John 15:2 are hard words for us to hear, 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.
In both situations it feels like we lose. But the Gardner knows healthy branches are the branches that produce fruit. And while the pruning process often feels counterintuitive, the increased growth that results from pruning, proves the technique is effective and productive. Every winter, as I prune back the bushes and trees in my yard, I experience a small panic that the beautiful growth I saw in spring will be gone forever. But of course, the complete opposite is true. By cutting away the old, there is room for the new growth to bloom.
The same is true in our lives. We can be doing good things that bring about some growth, but what happens when the Lord says to let go of those good things that He might grow something greater?
For the last ten years I have served with the college ministry of my church and before moving to Mobile, I served with high school and college ministries in California for over ten years combined. So, when I began to feel God pruning back this particular branch in my life, that same panic began to set in. What if this branch is pruned back and nothing else grows?
As I have reflected on the last ten years, I couldn't help but look back through old photos and be reminded of the great memories and incredible blessings I experienced while serving in the ministry. But it is not lost on me that the growth I have seen in my life and ministry these last ten years came after God pruned my life in such a way that He cut back the comforts of living near family and friends and moved me to a place in which I had Him and Him alone. It was a painful process, but one I would walk through again to experience the growth I have seen over the last decade.
So, even though I feel the pain of the pruning process as I walk through this season of change, I am willing to let go of the good as I look expectantly to what the Lord has in store and the growth He is making room for.