In Praise of the Vine

road trip

This entire road trip reminded me of Jesus. Well, at least every place there were grape vines planted. I must admit it wasn't as picturesque as the photo above, which I took long Hgwy 101 in Northern California. No, the vines were planted very stoically, row after endless row in wide open spaces with no other redeeming qualities. But they evoked thoughts of Jesus anyway.

If you aren't familiar with Him, then you will wonder how my mind made the transition from grape vines to the Son of God. If you do have a relationship with Christ, then you are nodding your head in agreement with me right now.

You see, Jesus was famous for speaking in parables that people of the day (and today) could relate to, and he quite often referred to matters of the land, and more specifically to grape vines. Take for example, John 15.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener..Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches...apart from me you can do nothing."

So as I drove past mile after mile of grape vines, I wondered to what purpose they will be used ~ raisins, table grapes or wine. And so too, I thought about how I am nothing apart from Christ. I was created with certain giftings and talents suited for a specific purpose. As my gardener, the Lord God will prune me and refine me until I produce the finest results for His kingdom. If I attempt to separate myself from the source of my sustenance, then I, too, will wither and die. But if I remain grafted onto the source, then, oh my, what fruit will be produced!