I can feel the anticipation of new growth and new beginnings as I sit here, taking it all in...the gentle cool breeze, the warmth of the intense Nevada sun, the trilling of the birds, and the sound of the water cascading down over the rocks of the waterfall in my backyard pond.
My mind continues down the list...thinking of those things that will need to be done to make room for the new growth that has been laying dormant all winter and now is just waiting to burst forth with new tender shoots reaching up toward the sun. I even think of the spring blooming Lilacs, whose buds actually formed late summer or fall and lie dormant until they are ready to burst open...it is important to prune the flowers directly after they flower, if you wait too long you risk cutting off the already growing buds for next year.
What a picture of spiritual renewal the Lord gives us through the season of Spring! I think that I love that this is not a one-time occurence, but an event that needs to take place year after year in order for the plants to remain healthy.
It's important to know exactly the best time for the pruning of each type of plant if you want to make room for healthy growth. The plants are always ready to grow and flourish through the seasons, but the right conditions must be met in order for this to happen. When those conditions are not met, the plant can remain stunted and unhealthy; some won't produce the fruit they are meant to produce and some will even shrivel up and die off completely.
The same is true in our own lives. We need to allow God to cut back those things in our lives that are keeping us from producing the fruit of the Spirit. Sometimes we need to choose to let go of things in our lives that we have been so desperately holding on to. We need to let go because they are keeping us from growing and flourishing in our journey with God.
