Deliberations: I am the vine

Growing grapes………An interesting art (or science?). 

Here are some things I learned in my Internet search:

·      Grapes do not like an overly-rich soil. They prefer a less fertile soil and then their roots will grow deep in search of nutrients. Similarly, Jesus did not come to preach the gospel to a well-prepared and righteous people—He came to call sinners to repentance.

·      Grapes need a lot of water on the first planting, but only a little after that. Sounds a bit like us as believers in Christ?  When we were baptized, we felt drenched with the Holy Spirit, but we still need a little watering from the Holy Spirit (our comforter) on a regular basis don’t we?

·      The vines need some type of support, to which they will stay connected. But a single stake won’t do. They need a broad trellis with many sections onto which the vine can hold*.

·      Grapes need regular pruning to produce the best fruits… Is that what our daily trials and discouragements do for us?

·      Pick grapes only when they are ready. They stop ripening after they are picked... We need to learn patience. Only Jesus knows when the persons we are praying for are ready to surrender. Wait on Him to convict their hearts.

*Jesus said “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me”. 

We must stay connected to Jesus, and we must provide the broad support each person needs on his/her Christian journey