PRUNING & BURNING

As fall now approaches, my gardening thoughts turn from growth and planting to trimming and pruning. My perennial garden is taking on that “I’ve run my course” look. The hollyhocks went to seed a month ago. I have already cut them back and retained some seeds. The phlox are losing their flowers. The hydrangeas are starting to brown a bit, losing their luster. While I leave most of them for the birds and critters for the winter, some pruning is in order. I googled the best time to prune that Japanese Maple, which needs some shape. It will wait. The pruning will come. 

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Perhaps pruning seems sad. Cutting back the beauty of the garden and the season of growth enjoyed.  Yet, pruning is essential. The prairie grass will need to be taken down nearly to the ground. The roses will be trimmed aggressively and look like a bad haircut for a time next spring. Without the pruning, healthy growth can’t happen. 

Pruning is one of the images that scripture and tradition use to refer to “judgment.” Unlike the popular images of that word that see judgment as punishment, scripture sees it as correction, repentance, growth. Along with fuller’s soap - which cleans, discipline – which instructs, pruning works to bring an unhealthy plant back to health, producing fruit.  Think of Jesus’ parable about the fig tree with no figs. The owner wants to cut it down and replace it with a new plant. The servant (Jesus, I think) pleads for time and proceeds to work the ground, prune the dead branches, and fertilize the soil. 

Another image of judgment that leads to growth is fire. While the pain and loss in Maui and still in Canada are devastating, we know that after the fire is out, nature will assert new life out of the ashes. Controlled burns are often a part of the agricultural practice here in Iowa. The destruction of the fire is a kind of pruning that allows new life and growth. 

Some pruning, scrubbing and a little refining fire is also good for the soul, spiritually speaking. Jesus Christ came to transform us into the image God intended for us. It takes a whole lot of pruning to get rid of the dead and diseased branches of our lives so that new growth into the likeness of Christ can happen.  

Over the next two years (maybe three), I am going to be following an intentional path of pruning and refining fire. I’ll be enrolled in a program called Prairie Fire – a program of spiritual renewal and growth. With a group of other spiritual leaders, I’ll be opening myself up to them and a spiritual director so Christ can do some pruning, some refining. With some guidance, I’ll be open to setting fire to the old roots and weeds that choke out the seed sown by Christ so that I can be renewed and can be a better pastor.  

This means I’ll be taking a couple of retreats each year. I’ll be committed on one Saturday each month. I’ll need to make time to read, reflect, and pray more deeply. I do it not because I must or because I feel some lack. I do it because Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24-25) 

We are all called to live into the transforming life of Christ, to be pruned, refined, washed, and scrubbed clean each day. This path is mine for a while. May you find yours. 

Pax Christi – Tim Olson, Lead Pastor