September 9. You Cannot Stump Me.

Leaders of families, organizations and companies need connections. Our teams are connected to other teams and resources like a grapevine. The base of our vine is our purpose, and every action should support the purpose. The roots bring water, and the leaves process the sunlight.

The vine may reach more than ten times the length of the base. It will expand and go in a manner that we might not have imagined, and it will meet other vines as well. But if another vine’s purpose does not coexist with our purpose, we need to change direction. Destructive or obstructive vines do not support our purpose.

Is your purpose destructive in any manner? Looking inward at our purpose and pruning it for destructive shoots might be a valuable use of your time. Are you confident that your pruners are sharp? Allowing our pruners to help us collaborate with our team is critical to making our vines grow and be productive.

What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

As a people of faith, we can be growing or decaying. Our growth may even spread like a vine. I am not sure that there is really any middle ground. Our prayer life can sprout, our time in the word can get intentional and our connection in worship might even bring us to tears of joy.

But where are you not growing? Where are you stunted or allowing something to get in your way? We read, “Even before you begin your attack, while your plans are ripening like grapes, the LORD will cut off your new growth with pruning shears. He will snip off and discard your spreading branches.” Isaiah 18:5 NLT.

This verse tells me that my destructive actions, which stunt me, need pruned. Where has my vine wandered off to and found infertile soil and a harsh environment? We are called to be in relationship and grow so how can you grow with any obstacle that seems to stop us? 

That is where our relationship with Christ allows growth. That is where our collaboration with the church body can be like fertilizer for our vine. A stump blocking space and growth in the garden becomes the centerpiece that catches all of creation's eye when the morning glory vines grow on it.

What can you do to overcome your obstacles and where can you prune your vine from the harsh environment that is not honoring Christ? Who do you trust to collaborate with to have a pruning conversation? What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, your love is so full of grace. Your pruning guides us. May we see our own actions that keep us from you and make the snips. Keep our minds sharp and our pruners sharper. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,