Pruning

Ask almost any person how things are going, they will say, “Busy.” “Busy” is a proud badge we wear to show we matter, that we are important. “Busy” is a badge we wear because we cannot say, “No” to others. “Busy” is a badge we wear because we have not asked (or, maybe, listened to) what God has in store for us in order to live abundantly. We become busy because we have no way to sort out that which God says is unnecessary to our mission in life. The choices we would have to make to not be busy would be hard but fulfilling.

What needs to be pruned in your life? Who can you ask to help you with this? What do you fear that keeps you from pruning?

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Matthew 7:13-21 (NRSV)