If only we would allow God to do His penetrating work in us, He will patiently work in us and do the needful to remove what is stubborn and damaging.
Our God is a master pruner. Pruning is painful but it is necessary for our own good. It helps us to be fruitful and clean.
As Jesus says in John 15:2, “…every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
A couple of years ago, I underwent a surgery to remove an extra growth in my left eye. I did learn some precious lessons during that time.
Any unhealthy and extra growth is dangerous
Growth is good in one sense but if it is extra and unwanted we need to be warned.
Mine is a thirty-year-old problem. An extra growth in each of my eyes caused many difficulties. I allowed them to grow over my corneas until my vision was affected. It became a constant irritation.
Is it not true that in our lives we allow some unwanted things to grow until one day we find those things cause much damage to us?
A growth allowed for too long is difficult to remove
The growth became too strong and thick and it became a part of my eye. At one time I thought it would be there as long as I live.
Nevertheless, I went to the right surgeon who advised me to remove the growth. During the surgery, I could hear the surgeon saying “this fellow is stubborn”.
Unwanted growth may become stubborn and may want to remain forever causing more and more damage.
Removal of any unwanted growth is a painful process
During the surgery, the pain was unbearable and at one time during the surgery I screamed. Nevertheless, the surgeon continued to remove the growth. The pain lasted for a few weeks after the surgery.
Yes, cutting off an unwanted habit or a relationship may be painful but we have to go through it with endurance. If only we would allow God to do His penetrating work in us, He will patiently work in us and do the needful to remove what is stubborn and damaging.
Removal is not a loss but a blessing
Now I can move my left eyeball so freely. My vision is a bit clearer than before. The irritation is gone. What a blessed release!
But I go for regular check-up to make sure that the growth does not recur.
Are we ready for a painful surgery to remove the unwanted growth in our lives?
The Rev R. Prabhu was elected President of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference in 2012 for the quadrennium. He is also Pastor-in-Charge of Ang Mo Kio Tamil and Seletar Tamil Methodist Churches.