I cut down my banana tree.

I cut down my banana tree. 

It was kind of growing, kind of not. 

Maybe not enough sun?
Maybe the roots didn't take?

Too much water?

Not enough? 

I wanted more growth. So,

I cut down my banana tree.

in hopes that the roots might expand

and stretch their arms into the rocky soil

and burst from the grass in new growth

new green

bright green

fresh and ready to greet the sun and wind. 

I cut down my banana tree 

so that it might produce more. 

To cut.

To prune.

To clear out what is, in anticipation of what can be better.

To cut away the dead foliage, the diseased parts, the used parts to encourage dependence upon the root and more growth.

To make room for a better yield. 

Perhaps it's served its purpose, the fruit has been plucked, or it never did yield. 

Perhaps it's time for energy to be put into a different part of the plant. 

Perhaps it will increase the yield next time.

Apart from Christ we can yield no fruit. 

Apart from Him we can not grow. 

Whether by discipline, in pain or reluctance

whether by a quiet relinquishing, eyes raised and deep breath release, 

whether by a decisive severing in repentance and trust, 

we must be pruned. 

For His glory and our good.

John 15:1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.

If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.

My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

Romans 8:28

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Philippians 2:5-11

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 11:36

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!