If you have ever grown Zinnias (a brightly colored, fast-growing and heat loving flower) then you are probably familiar with the term “pinching”. It is a technique that is done when the plant is around a foot tall and involves pinching off the top of the center stem encouraging the plant to branch out so that it can ultimately produce more beautiful flowers. If a Zinnia is not pinched during this phase, it does not mean that it won’t survive and produce blooms, but it will not be given the opportunity to reach its full potential. On Sunday we did just that with our over 600 plants already in the ground – many of which had produced their first bloom of the season. As a grower, this is always such a hard task for me because I hate to not allow the flower to continue growing in its own capacity.

A little one that I planted as a seed with my hands, watered and fed every single day for months, a seed that I watched grow over time – a part of God’s design I was a witness to. Imagine you as that ower – an incredible miracle created and born with purpose to ourish into all that God called of you. Have you stretched yourself to full capacity or cowered at the thought of being pinched? Have you allowed God to prune and cut o c the pieces that no longer serve and establish growth? Many of us can condently say that we do not desire the uncomfortable places of the pinching process. I am currently in a season of life where God is asking of me things that I never knew I could do – remaining still, slowing down, resting in His peace, creating boundaries, not responding and the list goes on. In all of those things He has asked of me, the process remains the same.

There is a cutting of the old and dead ways to bring about an abundance of knowledge and wisdom that could not be gained without the pruning. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2. It is an amazing feeling to be rooted in truth, but for us to continue fullling the purpose we must be willing to be a bit uncomfortable. I envision, much like me, that our Father doesn’t enjoy having to cut away the familiar from our lives, but because He is the ultimate gardener we know that His vision is greater than the little patch of dirt we reside.

As I noted above, Zinnias are a hearty flower that have a natural ability to survive and produce best in the heat. How about you? How many times have you walked through the fire and came out bolder, brighter and more beautiful? You were designed for more and God is ready and able to gift you that larger harvest if only you are willing to be in a pinch – a momentary sacrifice that will never return void.

“Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.

Blessings, Kayla