Love Rehab Day 2: Vines and Branches

On a field trip today I became mildly frustrated by the amount of time it was taking to finish up at a winery. I was waiting and waiting and quietly criticizing how the owner was giving the history of the place. I wanted her to hurry up.

Then I noticed I was officially frustrated. That trigger emotion showed up again, and I chose to respond patiently. So, I walked toward the group of ladies again, and tried to stand and listen. Soon we began the tour to the crops and the vats.

After she explained how the different type of grapes are grown and how they are braced to be exposed to the right amount of sun, I asked her about the familiar metaphor that Jesus used to describe himself. "I am the Vine and Ye are the branches."

She gave me new insight. The vine has a way it wants to grow. It wants to grow up, down, or across. She explained that it is unwise to try and get the vine to grow differently than it is inclined to grown. Instead a good caretaker of a vineyard would respond to the vine's direction and make the other variables support that inclination.

A LIGHT BULB moment occured for me in her explanation. For me to remain in the Vine, is for me to remain in the direction Jesus lived his life. He was not self-seeking, so personal ambition would be inconsistent with staying "in the vine." Clearly, Jesus' inclination, His Vine, was to live a life that glorified God and was Self-less. His purpose was to be "crushed like wheat" so that His Father may be glorified.

As I hand over my ambition and self-determination to Christ, I am in effect "remaining in the vine." As I joyfully participate in the humble service that goes unappreciated and un-noticed, and to feel like I am being crushed like wheat, I am remaining "In The Vine." And I can trust that in those moments my destiny's joy, meaning and fulfillment will be experienced.

Mary Boren June 18, 2010.