Grapes!

“ I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser”- John 15:1

     Grapes!That was pretty much the first thing that came into my mind as I was reading this verse. After chewing on it for a bit, a thought occurred to me. What would happen if the grape wasn’t connected to the vine? To a source of life? Well I’m pretty sure the delicious grape wouldn’t be so mouthwatering any more. In order for grapes to get nice and plump they have to stay on the vine for sometime. If they fell off or became disconnected from the vine, they would be small, shriveled up, and bitter ,if any fruit would grow at all.
      I’m just like a grape, and Jesus is the Vine. I am not the source of any Life, but the growth in me is a reflection of the amazing power filled vine that I am connected to. If I disconnect myself from Him then I start to whither away, become bitter and can do absolutely nothing productive or edifying. It’s pretty easy to tell the days that I have truly spent time at the feet of Jesus and when I’ve rushed by with a nothing more than a wave to my Heavenly Father. The fruit is not the same. I’m striving so hard right now in this season of my life to be a good piece of fruit in the sight of my God. I want Him to look upon His Vineyard, look at me and go “wow, look at that grape grow!” but that only comes by making Jesus my true and only Vine.
       The vine doesn’t just physically hold the gape to the rest of the cluster, or even the main vine, it provides nourishment, strength, holding up the fruit and making sure that it is getting everything it needs in order to successfully grow into an amazing finished product, ready for whatever it is that the vinedresser might want to do with it, whether it’s simply sell it as a grape, turn it into a raisin, make juice or wine.
       Jesus does the exact same thing with me, providing me with not only spiritual blessings but physical ones too ( house, home, food, life...you get the point), He makes sure that He is constantly pouring out the Love and Life of Himself on me, sustaining me when I feel tired or weak, He is my connection to God. He is the only One that can.
       It’s funny that such a seemingly simple verse would reveal the necessity that I have of hanging on to Christ and abiding on Him and in Him, making Jesus my only source of strength. His Word says He is the True Vine, no other vine could possibly come close to giving me what He has,given me, not myself, or my parents, no self help book, therapist or friend could possibly nurture me the way that He has. There is no other way to attain True Life without the True Vine.  I’ve tried other vines,and trust me, they don’t work. Instead of a nice a delectable grape, you’ll end up more dried up than a raisin, not even good enough to be put into a Christmas fruitcake.

Application:
        I will not rush or elongate my quiet time with the Lord based on other people or my schedule,I will just abide in Him and get my nourishment for the day not worrying about anything else but being a pleasing grape to Him.