Vine and Branches

In Napa we took our "old neighbors" to the vineyard of Robert Mondavi. If you are ever in Napa, go there for a good tour. We started out in the vineyards looking and learning a little bit about the grapes and then went in to the grape press, the fermentation room, and then the bottling area. It was fascinating.

I really enjoyed looking up close and out in the distance at the vines growing. If you look closely at the second picture, you can see tiny clusters of very small baby grapes. Look again at that first picture though. What do you see?

How cool is that green tendril wrapped tightly around the guide wire!? It is a good picture of how the vine is always seeking something to wrap on to. What ever is close, it grabs and hangs on. I was reminded of passages in John's gospel when Jesus talked about vines and branches and His relationship to all of that. Read what Jesus said about the vine and branches.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. . . . 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. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John's gospel, chapter 15:1-2, 4-5 New International Version

Looking at that tightly wound tendril I want to think of it like this: I am the little tendril, green and seeking out good support. Jesus is the guide wire. When I wrap myself around Him, He will steer me in the way to grow. As long as I'm hanging on to Him I will grow strong and productive. In order to "wrap myself around Him" I need to read His word everyday. To "grow strong and productive" I need to seek His guidance in all that I do, be obedient to His commands and trust Him for all things. All of that can only be done with the help of His word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

I pray that this week you will be strongly rooted in Christ!