Hi hey hello there, I just wanted to share more in depth something that happened at Training Camp. So here we go!
During TC, I realized a season I am in that I used to be scared of.
A season of Pruning. To me when I heard about “pruning”. I saw that as God taking things away from me. And I wrestled with that because I didn’t want to feel that way because I know God is good.
Joining the World Race- you’re leaving everything you know, your family, loved ones, everything you’re comfortable with and stepping into the unknown, with only God knowing what’s ahead. I felt like God was leading me into a season where things I was so comfortable with, things that were helping me grow, things that were filling me up, things I held dearly to my heart, things I desired, were being taken away from me. And I’m like “God, what are you doing?”
The things that God began doing in my heart at training camp, internally I just knew: I’m in that season of pruning. Maybe you’re like me, and you had your own perception of pruning.
Do you know what the actual definition of pruning means though?
Prune (Verb): trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth.
And God talks about pruning in the Bible!
I love how God chooses words carefully and intentionally.
What stuck out to me about this definition is this: especially to increase fruitfulness and growth.
Now what does the Bible say?
John 15:2 says: 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.
Agh wow God, you’re a genius.
Little back drop: Before moving to Tulsa, God spoke that Tulsa was going to be a safe haven. And that is exactly what Tulsa has been the 4 years I’ve been there. God totally spoiled me in Tulsa. Placing me in such an amazing community, growth, Bible College, an amazing church, etc.
And so I look at that, all God did in those 4 years and I’m like “God, those were branches you grew that were bearing fruit. Why does it feel like you’re taking that away?”
But you know what God showed me through training camp? Just like the definition and the bible verse says: even branches that do bear fruit, He will prune so that it will be EVEN more fruitful.
So now, I no longer see this season of Pruning as God taking things away from me. Rather Him making MORE room for the NEW things He is going to do through the World Race. Through my squad. Through my team.
So let’s do this thing and I pray by the end of the 11 months we are exhausted yet so refreshed and revived because we were present + awake for every moment of the NEW things He is about to do. And you can choose to have joy even when you don’t see the full picture!!
Isaiah 43:19 “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
That’s all for now! Thanks for taking the time to read! Talk to you soon! Don’t forget to subscribe! Tell your mom, your grandma & grandpa, aunt & uncle, cousins, cousins twice removed, your cat, your dog, your gerbil, your whatever! Have em all subscribe! 🙂
Much love, T.
