A Time for Pruning
My first two months in Candelaria have been extremely difficult. God has been doing a great deal of pruning and cutting away within our ministry.
This has meant the removal of projects and staff members that are no longer bearing fruit. It is a painful process cutting away parts of your ministry that have become dead, but it is necessary in order for new life to continue to come forth. With much prayer and wisdom, we have made several changes over the past few months.
Seasons of the Lord’s pruning affect all branches, not only those who have ceased to bear fruit. “…while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes…� (John 15:2b) During the past two months, the Lord has been bringing us as a mission into pinpoint focus on our true calling here in Nicaragua by clarifying our mission statement as a ministry. To
proclaim the true Lord Jesus Christ and make disciples who partner with Him to
bring the Kingdom of God, transforming darkness to light. Every staff member and project is being pruned and refined to come into alignment with this purpose.
Being pruned is never easy and it’s always painful, but Jesus has spoken a beautiful promise over His Father’s pruning “…while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.� (John 15:2b). We can rest assured that times of pruning always lead to seasons of increased fruitfulness. So we trust in the places where He is cutting away and pruning, sprigs of new life will soon be sprouting.
Oh Lisa, I can so relate. I am going through a pruning season right now, too. I’m being stretched, and it is not fun but I know, I trust, the end result will be worth it. And I trust the One who is stretching me. Praying for you friend.