There are so many life lessons we can glean from nature if we just look around. In the south Kudzu grows rapidly, 60 feet a year! Kudzu takes over everything in its path, choking out any kind of life that it encounters. Grown forests become “ghost towns” of memories past.
Our lives are very much like this vine. Little by little we allow things to creep in. Things that SEEM okay at the time. We often don’t realize just how damaging they can be over time. These things can be draining and begin to pull on us. They can come in the form of habits, relationships, even our words. As everyday leaders that are seeking to live intentionally, we want to become aware of what it is that is weighing us down, entangling us and pulling at us. What is draining the energy, resources, creativity, and life out of us?
Do we have the habit of working too many hours? Once a good thing, may now become something that is choking the life out of us and stealing our time away from family. Maybe even costing us our health.
Perhaps we are simply trying to fit too MANY things into our schedule. These things may all be good, but have become so much that we are pulled in every direction. Being intentional with our schedule means saying NO to things that might be good so that we can say YES to those things that are great. It means being able to yes to things that match our vision and purpose.
What about the habit of joking around? Have our words, once in fun, gotten out of hand? Are we too concerned about material things, vacations or having success that what was once a dream has now become a burden as we stay driven for more or strive to maintain what we have?
Are we entangled in a relationship that we shouldn’t be in? Have we compromised at work and allowed questionable practices to take place?
Being intentional means taking the time to cut down the vines that are choking things out. Once free the plants begin to thrive again. Before you cut out those things that entangle you, first evaluate what is good or bad, what needs to be trimmed back.
The process is painful but the rewards are great when we take the time to evaluate and trim back those things which entangle us, allowing new growth to help us thrive.
The Every Day Leader. Living an intentional life. Being the best you can be.
The Every Day Leader 
Absolutely, that is a great verse! I was also thinking about the things outside of our lives that need to be pruned!
Cathy, this reminds me of a verse from the Bible: “Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” – John 15:2