Pruning for a Purpose
When God revealed “pruning” as my word for the year 2023, I ran :(.
Denial Stage
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a stubborn child, I just didn’t want my word for the year to be “pruning”.
I mean, who starts a new year, expecting every good thing only to be told that the word for her is pruning? Why couldn’t it be something more exciting like “Supernatural Exploits” or “Year of bountiful harvests”?
Everyone is sharing very promising themes for their year, and this is what I get? I didn’t agree. I devised my own themes, Onye kwe chi ya ekwe right?
In the first weeks of January, I found myself questioning God, wondering why I had to go through this process. I even double-checked the definition of pruning to make sure I understood it correctly:
“Pruning — Trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.”
I couldn’t fathom what God wanted to cut out from my life, so I protested, trying to choose my word for the year. Deep down, I knew I was just kidding myself.
Alas, it was “pruning.” I knew I couldn’t really run, not for too long.
Acceptance Stage
I was scared of the pain that came with growth and change, and I asked God if there was an easier way.
But life had its plans, and after a very sad incident that happened in June, I was reminded of my word for the year, and I couldn’t help but shed tears. “I thought we were done with pruning?” I asked God, but He gently replied, “We’ve only just begun.”
Throughout the year, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of self-discovery and transformation. God took me on a journey of stillness, working on my temperament, and convicting me even in areas where I believed I was right. It was like being a boarding school student, following the school routines under the watchful eye of the housemaster.
But you know what? As painful as it was, I realized that growth comes with discomfort, and growth and change go hand in hand. It can be tough, but staying stuck in the wrong place hurts even more. So, I surrendered to the process of pruning, trusting that it would lead to a better version of myself.
Pruning may not always be easy, but it’s necessary for our progress. So, I encourage you to embrace the pruning process too, knowing that we are being prepared for something greater in the end. It may take various forms:
- Cutting off some friends and relationships that don’t serve your God-given purpose
- Leaving certain environments, including jobs, neighbourhood, city or country.
- Undergoing some training, paying to gain more knowledge, and travelling distances to participate in high-value events.
- Investing in joining certain circles
- Changing some of your values and beliefs, being less judgemental, more accommodating, flexible and liberal in thinking.
Don’t run like me. Do it.
As the year winds down, I can see the fruits of this pruning in my life, and I’m grateful for the lessons learned.
Post Script: I hope you weren’t expecting me to go through the 7 stages, that’s for grief, and not pruning :)
