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"Abide" by Lisa Temple: Letting the Gardener Prune Your Life


What if smaller means more fruitful?

Jesus never said “hustle.” Not once. When He described a fruitful life in John 15, He chose different words, like “remain”, “rely”, “surrender”, “pruning”, and “becoming smaller” so that we can become fruitful. Lisa noticed that He didn’t use any of the words we see today when we talk about an impactful life: hustle, drive, independence, productivity, … The song “Abide” came out of her journey of learning to surrender and trust Him with the outcome. It is poetic, ambient, and comforting to the soul.

Lisa Temple - AbideListen to Lisa’s confession. “I was blind, thought I could do this on my own.” She tried so hard to make the very best of herself. Does that sound familiar? Many of us run on plans, pride, and a packed calendar, and then we’re surprised that we feel empty. Lisa shares what changed in her life. “I will let your loving hand prune my life, trusting you to cut back all that has run wild.” Pruning hurts. Up close, a gardener’s shears will look like loss. But from above, they look like care.

Jesus says: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) “Nothing”… That word frees you instead of shaming you. The pressure to produce was never yours to carry. Your job is to stay close to Him.

So what has run wild in your life? Name it today and hand it over to the Gardener. Skip the cunning plan, and spend ten quiet minutes to simply be with Him before the day’s noise begins.

Give “Abide” a listen today. Let its message settle your heart. “You do your best work through empty and open hands.”

(Related scripture: John 15:4; John 15:2; Proverbs 3:5)

Background:

In John 15, Jesus spoke about becoming fruitful.... He didn't use any of the words we see today when we talk about an impactful life: hustle, drive, independence, productivity... instead, He talked about reliance, remaining, surrender, even pruning and becoming smaller so that we can become fruitful. This song came out of my journey of learning to surrender and trust Him with the outcome. It is poetic, ambient, and comforting to the soul.

Release date: October 23, 2026

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