P R U N I N G.
- Sarah Beth Strong
- Jul 2, 2019
- 6 min read
I am such a planner. I always have been, my mom could tell you that there was no "relaxing" on vacation. Every day has an itinerary, every year a goal, every step a purpose. I love adventure and unexpected things... as long as they occur between the hours of 6 pm-1 am on Saturday night because if not- my "perfect" plan might be neglected. The thing is, if you met me you would not have the idea that this is how I operate. On the surface I live a whimsical and spur-of-the-moment lifestyle... but know those spurs are planned out because I couldn't have it any other way.
My over planning comes from my over-need for control and the fruition of my plan. I am currently in a season of life that- if I had known freshman year that this is where I would be- I would have thrown up. Freshman year, I wanted nothing more than to drop out and move away to the mission field. I remember conversations on the way back to my dorm with my roommate about how I was so ready and how I just wanted to be done with school and overseas somewhere exciting doing missions. My roommate was a constant voice of reason reminding me I was where I needed to be and how I was growing and serving right here at school. Plus, it was only three more years till I was on the mission field, right? [hahaha]
The summer after freshman year I went to Denver and served and I LOVED it. I felt in my element and it was unreal that I had to leave and go back to being a college student. I felt right at home and like my ministry was thriving right there, why would I leave? It was impossible to come back, but I did and the Lord did big things back at school. Soon after I came back I began planning for the next summer, was it going to be back to Denver and church planting or become camp staff?
At that moment I fully believed that the minute I had a diploma in my hand that I would be on a plane to Denver to start my life as a missionary there. Serving at camp seemed like the obvious choice if I was so close to a life permanently in Denver, right? [hahaha]
About a month before leaving for camp I found out I had been accepted for a scholarship (which is super good news) but it would require me to work as a Social Worker in Kentucky for two years under a contract. So four years became six years and I was at a loss. My plans were out the window for even longer than anticipated...
With the new arrangement of "my" life plan- there was a new arrangement on how I had to spend this final college summer. I had to stay back from the typical summer away and be in summer internships and class while the majority of my community is elsewhere. This summer is a slow one in comparison to the last few summers. I am in a season of preparing to move my life for two years to whichever county Kentucky decides is best. You can't plan for that, you can't form perceptions and rely on anything but the steadfast rock that is God who has this and EVERYTHING else under his feet (Ephesians 1:22). This summer I have had so much time. Time of reflection. Time of rest. Time of learning. Time of preparation. These quiet moments with Jesus have been my survival in this season.
PRUNING, by definition is a skill that is E S S E N T I A L to the growth and development of plants. This looks like cutting specific parts of the plant so that it grows back healthier and thriving. In the beginning this doesn't look like a correct solution, but once the plant has those things removed it is more obvious that those items were stifling the growth of the plant.
Pruning is an essential gardening skill. When you prune correctly, you encourage healthy growth and flowering.
My plans were stifling my ability to thrive and grow in my current environment. My need for control was limiting my willingness to let God guide my days and actions. My sinful heart was blocking God's movement in these past seasons of my life. I have been too busy looking at four years from now to fully fall into and live in the moments God has for me right here.
Most of my closest friend have moved away from where I go to school and my plans are out of my hands, but I have never felt so content and in tune with my creator. It is when we have nothing earthly to temporary cling to, that we rely on the one that we can cling to for eternity. I'm not standing on sinking sand but on the rock that is my God.
This quiet summer is one I have resented for the past few months because it feels a whole lot like the first step in pruning. I feel like pieces of me that I cling to so often have been cut off... adventure, a daily christian bubble, full-time ministry, fun, deep friendships, etc. All of those things can be good things, but they aren't God and they won't last. The one who saves is the one I put my hope and identity in.
But I am so excited because there is a second step in pruning... growth. I have grown so much and I have learned more about who God is and contentment in my life- even when my mind goes elsewhere. I have grown in loving and cherishing the people around me. Rather than being obsessive over where I might be sent at the end of the year, I am taking in every moment here in Bowling Green. each worship service at my church is a gift. Every cup of coffee I have over conversations with sweet friends is a blessing. Any walk I take all alone through the beauty of Kentucky is a privilege.
I am thankful for pruning, I am thankful for the inability to plan, I am thankful for quiet summers, I am thankful that ministry is available anywhere and everywhere. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to grow to know my Savior deeper and grown more in my faith before I take the leap in December.
Don't take these moments for granted. As you may just want to be done with whatever chapter you have found yourself in, or maybe you wish for more control, or you feel like every good thing in your life has vanished- KNOW the Lord is at work. KNOW that growth is a result of faithfulness in circumstances that lack clarity. God is good above all.
And above all we must remain faithful. We must participate and endure pruning to work towards growth. We must seek God over earthly things. We must give God control. There is beauty in a surrendered life and there is beauty in a thriving relationship with your creator.
I'll end on this. I have been reading poetry by Anne Ross Cousin who was a preachers wife from England in the 1800s. Her biography left me in awe because it was so evident that she was a woman after God's heart. In her poetry I better understood the beauty of pruning seasons and the beautiful nature of following in step with God. Her poems were inspired by the theologian Samuel Rutherford. She read and studied his letters and wrote Immanuel's Land which eventually became the popular hymn, The Sands of Time are Sinking. Here is an excerpt:
"I've wrestled on towards Heaven, 'Gainst storm and wind, and tide;
Now, like a weary traveller,
That leaneth on his guide,
Amid the shades of evening,
While sinks life's lingering sand,
I hail the glory dawning
In Immanuel's Land.
Deep waters crossed life's pathway
The hedge of thorns was sharp:
Now, these lie all behind me,-
Oh for a well-tuned harp!
Oh! to join Hallelujah
With yon triumphant band,
Who sing, where glory dwelleth,
In Immanuel's Land.
My prayer is that we would do just that- WRESTLE on towards of heaven. Because that is what it is- it is a fight some days. Pruning is hard sometimes. Growth seems impossible in the midst of chaos, but know- even when were in deep waters and the thorns are sharp- GLORY DWELLS in Immanuel's Land. We will dwell in immanuels land. So press on my Sisters & Brothers.
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