So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?
My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,
but don’t be crushed by it either.
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
Reflection
Several years ago, six mature maple trees in front of our neighbor’s home were being destroyed by a fungal disease that was killing the crown of the tree. In order to save them, the arborist cut all of the branches off the tops of the trees, leaving just some bare, main branches. It was painful to look at, and the pruning was so severe that we all thought the trees would die. I drove by those branchless, leafless trees until a year later, they began to sprout beautiful green leaves. Those trees were a work in progress. Five years later the trees have now filled in and are growing, restored to what they were created to be, and are currently ablaze in autumn colors.
As a child of God, following Jesus, I’m a work in progress, subject to a lot of pruning. I’ve learned to listen to the prompting of the Spirit. There are many times when God points out to me that I’ve said the wrong thing and hurt someone, or I’ve judged someone or I’ve just completely failed to be who God has called me to be. Sometimes there are entire seasons where I’ve struggled with life events like family situations, illness and death. I’ve felt such a
disconnect between what I think God has called me to be, and where I am. It can feel like punishment, but it’s not, it’s spiritual growth. But like those branchless maple trees, I’m a work in progress, and I’m not going to give up-because I trust in my Savior Jesus- and because I know God isn’t done with me yet.
So don’t give up when you find yourself in a place of suffering or a time of being shaped to be more like Jesus, because we aren’t alone, God is with us in the struggle and will bring us through it. As children of God we are a work in progress growing in grace, transformed by the Spirit. Yes, this involves correction and discipline, it’s a learning process, the pruning away of our ego so that the new life we have in Christ can grow in its place. It teaches us to listen to God and to be willing to hear what God says to us, even if the answer is “No.” Don’t give up, because on the other side of discipline is restoration and wholeness, and while we are guided by the Spirit to grow to be more like Jesus, our loving God will walk with us every step of the way.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering and Prayer
God does not punish us when we make mistakes, God corrects us and restores us because God loves us. Though the pruning process may be painful, we can trust that God’s grace and God’s love are transforming us to be more like Jesus.
Are you experiencing a season of pruning, correction or painful spiritual growth? Know that God is with you and don’t give up.
Prayer: Holy and Loving God, we know that we are your children and that you love us. Give us
the guidance of your Spirit in those seasons when we are being corrected and transformed to become more like Jesus. Help us to trust in you and not give up. Amen.
