A Season of Pruning...Harvest is Coming!



So, this summer has been a season of change for me and my husband, but especially for me. Words like difficult, disappointing, frustrating and impossible are thoughts that have come to mind.

God has turned everything upside down, from job changes to a possible move across country that at the last minute did not happen, to the attempt of figuring out where I'm supposed to be, to my husband joining an international mission team which came about because of our possible move that didn't happen. Whew!

Sometimes we cannot see what God is doing and it can frustrate the snot out of us. Yet, He has a plan. He doesn't just do things randomly. That is what I've had to cling to.

Last night, I was working on my talk for our upcoming "Unshakable" conference, and it finally dawned on me. I am being pruned.

We don't like that. It is not fun. Pruning can be painful, BUT, there is a reason for it. Take a look at this verse with fresh eyes, just as I did:

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

Those things in our lives that are not doing any good...not furthering the Kingdom, He often cuts away. But, those things which are bearing fruit...are doing well...are seeing results, often He cuts back. Not away, just back. The reason? To bring about even more of a harvest.

It's hard to understand, and at the time we might even see Him as unfair, unloving, unkind, or oblivious to all the good things which are happening, but those things are the farthest from the truth.
He IS good. He knows best. We must trust.

I don't know if this helps you, but it did me. I've felt cut to the quick this summer, but I know that God has His reasons. So, perhaps like some of you, I am now waiting on the payout, whatever that may be.

Blessings!
Kristi

Comments