PRUNED TO BE MORE FRUITFUL

Pruning, as defined by the dictionary, refers to the practice of trimming a tree, shrub, or bush by removing dead or overgrown branches or stems, particularly to promote healthy growth. It involves cutting back certain parts of the plant to achieve a more desirable shape or enhance its productivity. The timing of pruning varies based on the species of the tree, the prevailing climate, and the intended outcome is more growth, improving shape, or increasing fruit production. This indicates that pruning can take place in different seasons and under various conditions; however, the result is consistently beneficial, allowing the tree to flourish in its intended purpose.

Do you know pruning is God’s idea?

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”( John 15:1-2)

Pruning is part of the transitioning process to a next level, where God himself, uses orchestrated life happenings to cut off things that are not essential in our life’s or limiting us from attaining the next level of fulfilling purpose and becoming more like Christ. Of course, pruning can be painful but the outcome is beautiful. On the Christian journey, God prunes us because He loves us and desires that we become more like Him and fulfill the very purpose for which we were created.

Let’s look at the life of biblical woman HANNAH, the mother of Prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 1 and 2)

Elkana who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah had no child. The bible records that The Lord had closed Hannah’s womb ( 1 Samuel 5). Hannah’s co-wife Peninnah provoked Hannah severely to make her miserable in her condition. So, it was year by year, when Hannah went up to the hose of the Lord, that Peninnah provoked her, and Hannah wept and did not eat. Hannah’s husband loved her so much that he didn’t want Hannah to worry, after all she had him, her husband. After many years of weeping, Hannah AROSE and went to the house of the Lord and prayed and wept in anguish such that even the Priest Eli thought she was mad. Then she made a vow to the Lord – “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”(1 Samuel 1:11). At the end of her prayer, the high Priest Eli assured Hannah to go and have a peaceful countenance for God will grant what she asked.

Hannah finally bore a first son, Samuel whom she dedicated to God and made sure he grew in the ways of the Lord. In the later years, Hannah had other children but Samuel was dedicated to God and became a great Prophet in Isreal, a symbol of a new era of the reign of kings as God used Samuel to anoint the kings of Isreal including David.  ^“So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.(1 Samuel 3:19-21)

Lessons on pruning from Hannah’s Story:

1. Pruning is part of God’s plan, aimed at shaping us to reflect His image and fulfill the purpose for which we were created. The virtues of patience, perseverance, self-control, and faith are exemplified in the life of Hannah. Despite facing challenges, Hannah remained steadfast in her faith during her period of waiting. She refrained from engaging in conflict with her co-wife, Peninnah, even when provoked. Instead, she turned to prayer, expressing her anguish and placing her trust in God for the blessing of fruitfulness.
2. The pruning process can be challenging, yet it serves in aligning towards fulfilling purpose in time and season. As we seek God in faith through the process, we would get understanding which urshers us into new seasons in alignment with fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose for our life. The pruning process made Hannah to value Child bearing. Hannah may have cried and settled with her husband’s advice that he loves her and was better than many children. She may have remained complacent and not catch the purpose for the difficult season. When the condition persisted, she left everyone and turned to God. Her prayer for a child transcended mere human desires. It became a plea for alignment with God’s perfect will and purpose for both her life and the child she will bear. God’s intention extends beyond the mere act of physical childbirth. He desires that these children are nurtured in the ways of the Lord, ensuring they live according to His will and through their lives, His agenda can be manifested on earth. This principle applies to all areas of our lives, be it in our professions, ministries, marriages, or financial pursuits etc. God’s desire is not solely for us to enjoy these blessings without understanding the purpose for the blessings, but to steward what He entrusts to us in a manner that ensures His perfect will and agenda is made manifest on the earth through the blessings.
3. Prayer is Communication with God. It is essential to maintain a consistent prayer life, both in challenging and good times. Trust in God, discern the season you are in, and persist in your prayers. Remember, prayer is a two-way dialogue; it involves not only speaking but also listening to God’s guidance and aligning our requests with His will. If you are seeking ways to hear from God, we invite you to explore our previous writeups on the topic of HEARING GOD.
4. Pruning may not be a one moment thing but will occur in different seasons of life. The pruning process will only make us better and usher us to new seasons of fulfilling purpose.
5. Don’t focus on the shame, pain or temptations that are evident in the pruning season for if you focus on the latter, you may abort the season. Focus on God and what He tells you. No one may understand you but as you hold on to God, the outcome will be beautiful. Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 is the evidence of a beautified life after seasons of holding on to Faith in God even amidst pain.
6. Pruning is also essential to help us remain steadfast in God even in seasons of plenty. The prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2 is a testament that Hannah had truly been pruned to remain in God in all seasons, both good and difficult. Many times Christians pray more consistently in times of trouble and when God blesses them, they idolize the blessings, even forget their commitment to God and are too preoccupied enjoying the blessing. Hannah was different. She dedicated her child to God, remained steadfast in prayers and worshiped God even after she had received her answers.
7. Dear you reading this, go back and read the story of HANNAH found in 1 Samuel 1 and 2 of the bible and drop a comment in the comment section on what lessons you learn from the life of Hannah. REMAIN BLESSED