Browse categories and all articles.
How quickly the seasons of the year progress and pass by – you sometimes have to stop and really notice the abundance of growth around you to appreciate the beauty, fullness and splendour of spring/early summer.
Not long ago we were waiting for buds to burst open, blossom to display its colours and lawns to need regular mowing!
This noticing of nature and the seasons reminds me how gardeners and growers often have the dual focus of planting and pruning – nurturing and watering as well as clearing, tidying and weeding. The trouble is, with the time I have available I only seem to get round to the latter!
Sometimes, as in our case, a garden is so overgrown and previously neglected that a great deal of cutting back and preparing the ground has to be done first before any new designs or plans can be put in place and new plants put in.
In spiritual terms, these ideas are very prevalent in the bible.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
John 15:1-2
For our churches, my prayer is always that God would bring about and do the new thing. I am so keen to spot new shoots and signs of growth as faith stirs and hearts are drawn to respond to the call and love of God in Jesus, His Son.
God’s Good Plan
I also realise there are times when God disciplines those He loves, and may call us to stop doing something or to change direction if it is not pleasing to Him, part of His good plan for us or the life of His church.
Maybe these ideas point us to ask the question ‘what new thing is God wanting to say to me or do in my life? What things should I stop, reduce or get rid of?’
Sometimes these are not easy things to ponder and tackle, but knowing and trusting our Creator God loves us and wants the best for us, just like a master gardener, helps us to yield ourselves to His purposes as we open up to His gentle leading.
God’s richest blessing
Rev Charles Burton
Published in the June edition of the Parish magazines 2025.
You can order Parish magazines, which contain additional articles, by visiting All Saints or Christ Church
Main image by courtesy of Unsplash