I spend a part of my life working as a gardener, and this is the time of year to prune roses. This week I have worked in two gardens where together, there are over 100 roses, so I’ve been snipping in earnest.
Roses are quite hardy plants and capable of impressive annual growth. The problem is that if they are left to themselves, they become untidy, gangly, closed in on themselves, and potentially prone to disease. Pruning is essential for their health, and for them to produce impressive displays of flowers in the Summer.
When I was taught to prune, I was introduced to the ‘Three Ds’ (actually there are four as you’ll see). When you start snipping, you first cut out anything that is Dead and therefore not going to produce any flowers. Secondly you tackle anything that is showing signs of Disease and therefore likely to progressively harm the plant. Thirdly you cut out anything that is Damaged or Displaced. This would include branches growing in towards the centre of the plant (you want an open ‘goblet’ shape to let the light in), or branches that are rubbing on other branches and likely to cause a place where disease can enter.
Following the Three Ds means that you will be cutting away a lot of healthy growth. Stems that are full of buds need to be reduced by up to 60% of their length. It can feel a bit brutal and even risky, cutting away all of that apparently healthy potential!
Inevitably during seven hours or so of non-stop pruning this week, my mind wandered to John 15. You’ll remember that is where Jesus talks about his work of pruning God’s ‘vine’, Israel. Here’s how it starts:
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.
As I thought of what it means to be pruned by God, I mused on the Three Ds as a way of listening to what God may want to prune from my life. Maybe you might like to do the same – perhaps as an exercise during the coming Lent season?
What is Dead? – is there anything that I routinely do that bears no fruit at all in my walk with God? Things that I spend time or money on, which are not Kingdom focused? Or maybe spiritual practices (ways of praying for example) that once bore fruit but no longer give me a connection with God? What is dead and needs cutting out?
What is Diseased? – is there anything that I tolerate (or even welcome) in my life that is actual the cause of disease in my relationship with God or others? Attitudes that lead me to be jealous, angry or bitter with friends of family? Or habits that make me feel guilty before God and so drive me away from him? What are the causes of relational and soul-disease that need cutting out?
What is Damaged / Displaced? – is there any part of me that has been bruised or battered by others? Have I been ‘bent out of shape’ to the extent that ‘disease’ (bitterness, for example) may enter? Is my life in balance (the appropriate amounts of work: worship: rest & recreation)? Are there good things getting in the way of the best?
You can riff with the idea, but if you’re ready for a bit of reflective pruning then make time, and prayerfuly start wielding the secateurs!