top of page

The Pathway to Flourishing: Embracing the Gardener's Pruning. Part 1

Writer's picture: kateb78kateb78

The Pathway to Flourishing: Embracing the Gardener's Pruning.

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar


In a garden, the Creator’s care is evident in the meticulous process of nurturing plants to their full potential. The Creator, like a master gardener, tends to us, guiding us toward a more fruitful and flourishing life. This journey, much like a garden’s growth, involves pruning—a process that is both necessary and transformative.


Imagine a garden where each plant is set on a path. The gardener knows that intention alone isn’t enough to reach the destination of a bountiful harvest; it is the direction, the careful guidance, and the pruning that ultimately determine the outcome. Good intentions, without proper direction, can lead a plant astray, just as a well-meaning person can find themselves off course. Thus, following the Creator's guidance is essential for a productive and fruitful life.


In my own life, I have discovered that aligning with the Creator's plans brings unexpected blessings. When we follow the Creator's instructions, we often stumble upon blessings without even seeking them. These blessings can chase us down and overtake us, simply because we are on the right path. This close and intimate relationship with the Creator is like a plant deeply rooted in fertile soil, able to draw all the nutrients it needs to thrive.


As the Creator tends to us, we move from having no fruit to some fruit, from more fruit to much fruit. A tree isn’t known by the bark it wears but by the fruit it bears. This is the Creator's preference for our lives: to be abundant and overflowing with good fruit. This divine preference requires our active participation. Just as a plant must extend its roots deep into the soil, we too must engage actively with the Creator’s guidance to be fruitful.


The Creator reveals His best for our lives, enabling us to live according to our chosen level. If we accept the limitations of this earthly existence, that's all we will encounter. The Creator intervenes only when we cannot act, not when we refuse to act. Our openness to be utilized, to undergo refinement, and to develop is essential



Productivity, then, is an expression of our roots. The deeper and stronger our roots in the Creator, the more productive and fruitful we become. The Creator is our source of stability and growth, much like the vine that supplies life to the branches. Without a connection to the Creator, we can do nothing. This connection ensures that the same life force running through the vine also runs through the branches, making us stable and capable of bearing fruit.


There was a period in my life when I lost my connection with the Creator, and the impact was profound. My career faltered, my relationships became strained, and my mental and emotional well-being suffered greatly. This difficult experience taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of maintaining a strong bond with the Creator. I came to understand that anything not rooted in the Creator’s guidance was fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. Pursuing instant gratification only led me further away from the true purpose and blessings intended for me.


In the garden, branches that bear no fruit are pruned away. These branches, though full of leaves, do not fulfill their potential. The Creator prunes us too, cutting away what is dead, dying, or unproductive in our lives. This process isn’t punishment; it is a necessary step for us to bear even more fruit. Pruning may be painful, but it is a sign that the Creator is close, tending to us with care.


During pruning, the gardener must be present and attentive. Similarly, the Creator is closest to us during our times of pruning. It might feel like we are being deserted, but the truth is, the Creator is more present with us than ever before, carefully removing what we don’t need so we can grow stronger and more fruitful.



To be continued...

82 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page