For the next 15 weeks we will be writing reflections based on the scripture passage, John 15:1-15 and its theme, Abiding in the Vine. We will take one verse per week and invite you to join us in first meditating and digesting this passage slowly using lectio divina (divine reading) and then read the reflection. Our writers will be sharing testimony of how this scripture has impacted their lives personally.
For those new to our community, lectio divina is a traditional monastic practice of engaging with Scripture not just for intellectual understanding but to allow the Word of God to speak to the heart and transform our lives. It involves prayerfully reading the scripture four times, pausing to notice the following:
- Read the verse and listen for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights for you.
- Read the verse and ask the question, how is my life touched by this word? What in my life needs to hear this word?
- Read the verse and ask what is my response to God because of what I have read and encountered? What am I feeling, talk to God about it, listen to Him, feel His uninterrupted love and attention toward you and follow His lead in any way He is prompting you to respond.
- Read and rest in the Word and resolve to live it out.
Listen:
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. (John 15:1 NKJV)
Reflect:
Our daughter was married in June in a southern California vineyard several years ago. That’s the season where the grapevine’s flowers become fully formed fruit, the green clusters are on the cusp of turning color; just a few months before harvest. I don’t know much at all about viniculture, but it is certainly a sight to behold, standing high above the rolling hills, overlooking hundreds of acres of grapevines.
When Jesus refers to Himself as the True Vine, and His Father as the Vinedresser; it brings to mind that beautiful, sun-drenched vineyard. Ever intentional about the words He chose for the audience He was teaching, I went searching for deeper meaning so you and I could get our hands in the soil a bit to better understand the roles of a vine and vinedresser, and to better grasp how deeply involved in our lives Jesus and His Father – Our Father – desire to be.
The Vine (Jesus, in His analogy) carries everything necessary for overall health and development of the entire wellbeing of the shoots, leaves and fruit (or in His example: us). All it receives from its roots in the soil to the sun, rain and air it turns into everything the plant and fruit needs and gives abundantly to the fruit. Some places even described the vine as dedicating all of its energy to nurturing and protecting the fruit. Apart from the vine, it’s life source; the leaves and fruit quickly wither and die.
The Vinedresser (The Father) attentively prunes and cultivates the grapevine to ensure a healthy crop. He removes sickly and diseased branches which threaten the health of the plant, tying weak parts of the vines to a trellis for extra support when needed to ensure life. Faithfully monitoring for pests and disease, He patiently looks after the long-term health of the vine, not short-term productivity or results. The Vinedresser then decides when to harvest based on fruit development and characteristics.
Wow!
Prayer of Response:
Jesus, You alone are the source of life, energy, and health for my entire wellbeing! How blessed it is to know that You have given Your life at the cross for my salvation, and now as You await returning to earth, You give Your energy to nurture and protect that which You’ve saved: me.
Father, thank You for caring not just about pruning that which doesn’t belong in me, but that You do so with tender care; monitoring closely for things that don’t serve me well in Your kingdom. My health and identity is found in connection to The Vine alone, and I gratefully welcome Your tender pruning of all that doesn’t please or serve You. Thank You for caring so much to tend to the details of my life.
Questions to Ponder:
- As you consider Jesus in the role of your True Vine, are you allowing Him to be the source of your overall health and development for your entire wellbeing? How might you do things differently if you began treating him as your Life Source and not just someone to visit in a quiet time over coffee for 20 minutes a day? Be curious. Be specific.
- Have you ever gone through a pruning season? If so, does considering The Father as your Vinedresser give you a more positive lens to look back through that season and view it differently?
Breath Prayer:
As a new weekly rhythm, join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale(Breathe in): You are my source
Exhale(Breathe out): I release what You are pruning in me for optimal health and Your purpose! (Repeat)
Submitted by Traci Morrow
Traci lives in Colorado with her husband KC. They have six adult kids, 4 grandkids & counting! She has a wellness business for women and men looking to live mentally, physically, spiritually/relationally, and financially healthy from the inside out and not vice versa. Traci is passionate about healthy relationships; writing as a regular contributor for Thrive Today, a Leadership Journal for Christian Women in Business and has authored the book, Real-Life Marriage; Navigating Your Beautiful, Messy, One-Of-A-Kind Love Story.
Grapevine photo used with permission from Shutterstock.