Many times as I have traveled through the image on the front
of the current bulletin for this sermon series, I have started a blog
post. Well at least in my head I
have. The image reminds me of what I see
almost on a daily basis, fields. My children
already know how to spot grapes growing in the fields or vineyards and as the corn grows higher and the soy beans
grow lush, the grapes grow beautiful, green and thick. Growing up in Southwest Michigan the smell of
grapes in the fall is something you come to know and possibly expect. I even now excitedly await for the first time. The first time in September when you drive by
and catch that beautiful whiff of grapes!
It is almost indescribable.
But do you know how to care for grapes? How you must prune then back every year in
order for more fruit to produce and so there is not too much shade in the
following year. The most common mistake
made is not pruning enough or hard enough.
Knowing how to prune grapes
can make the difference between a good crop and a bad one. When pruning grapes,
you’ll want to cut off as much of the old wood as possible. This will encourage
the growth of new wood, which is where the fruit is produced. Grapes should be pruned during their
dormancy, usually in late winter. When it comes to pruning grapes, the most
common mistake people make is not pruning hard enough. Light pruning doesn’t
promote adequate fruiting whereas heavy pruning provides the greatest quality
of grapes.
Okay, so I am
not going to teach you how to plant or take care of your own vineyard, but when
I read this I could not help but think how this applies to our faith. In John 15:1 Jesus says “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.” Have you ever found yourself stuck in your
faith? Maybe not stuck but unsure of
what to do next, or perhaps you are perfectly comfortable in where you are in your
relationship with God. I have found that
when I am comfortable, it is my dormant season and time for a pruning. The tricky part is when I reach this place is
that I have to wait. Because you see, I
am not my own gardener. I have to wait
to see how, where and when the Lord is going to prune me. Many
times this pruning bends me, stretches me, sometimes it hurts me. However, the Lord knows how to prune that I
may heal and bear more fruit. I must be
patient, while waiting to be pruned and while I heal or grow from the
pruning. I also have to trust that God
knows what he is doing, loves me, will do what is best for me and that he will
be by my side during this time. See the
branch does not just grow plentiful fruit on its own. If left to its own, it actually continues to
grow less and less fruit. I am that way
as well. I need my master gardener, THE
MASTER GARDENER. Not so that I may
produce the most or taste the best or even look the best, but so I may share
him through me. So that by looking at me
or knowing me they also know him. Truly
KNOW him, not just of him.
I challenge you
to take a step back and look at where God may have pruned in your life recently or in the past. He is encouraging new growth and fruit in and
through you, but you have to let him.
Prayer:
Dear Father, my Master Gardener please help me to allow you to encourage
new growth and fruit through me. Lord
help me to be patient and also to trust you. Help me to rest and find peace
when pruning is not welcome or understood, Lord when it hurts help me to turn
to you. Father help me to receive your
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
so that I may know you and make you known. Amen
Written and submitted by Jodie Wilson
