via TJC
“I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up…”
Isaiah 5:6 ESV
“Pruned up” should be the model for our lives. It’s raw, relatable, and honest. No one is captivated by a story of someone who breezed through life unscathed—those tales lack depth, adversity, and the transformative challenges that make a story compelling. While we don’t wish for hardship, we can’t help but marvel at the results when true growth and pruning have taken place.
In many ways, life is like tending a garden. Every one of us has a “green thumb” in this metaphor, constantly pruning—refining ourselves through challenges, God’s word, and helping others grow. This isn’t about gardening, of course. It’s an analogy, much like the parables Jesus used, to convey an important truth: we are being pruned daily to withstand distractions, face adversity, and remain steadfast against the enemy.
Take this season, for example. How often have you heard, “I can’t believe it’s already November”? Time moves at the same pace every year, but the busyness of life often keeps us distracted from the present. For those who are married—or praying for their God-given partner—pruning takes intentionality. It requires sharp focus to cut away distractions, worldly influences, career pressures, and pride.
Marriage, by God’s design, is the most important vocation in the household. It’s a covenant of devotion and purpose that requires daily tending. Without consistent care—like providing light, refreshing the soil, and preventing dryness—it can become stale and neglected. Pruning isn’t optional; it’s essential for growth.
In life, as in a garden, pruning may be difficult, but the fruit it produces is always worth it.
Battle Order: Pick an area of your marriage you are neglecting. Prune back the television, telephone, and the pride and start tending to that specific area.
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