By Kristin Molitor

 

 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower ~ John 15:1

The warmer weather and longer days of spring have finally arrived! Although the trees are still quite bare and our lawns are still predominantly brown, my allergies tell me that something is growing despite appearances. Soon gardeners and farmers will begin preparing the soil for planting, and as spring turns into summer—fields and gardens will be rich with abundant fruit. 

The gentle unfolding of spring awakens within us feelings of joyful anticipation and excitement of new life. Spring is the season of newness, potential, and promise. It’s the season of hope.  

There is a Season for Everything

Each season has its purpose. Although spring might cause our hearts to soar as we dream of new possibilities and new life, we must remember that the fruition of new life isn’t ours immediately for the taking. Spring is not the season of reaping. It is the season of sowing and growing. It’s the season of potential and promise, but it’s also the season of patience.  

Every gardener knows a seed, in order to bear fruit, must endure a period of growth. In her book Reed of God, Caryll Houselander offers us a beautiful reflection into this insight:  

“A seed contains all the life and loveliness of the flower, but it contains it in a little hard black pip of a thing which even the glorious sun will not enliven unless it is buried under the earth. There must be a period of gestation before anything can flower.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises us that if we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. But like the seed, we, too, must endure a period of growth before our branches bend with rich and beautiful fruit.   

A Future Full of Hope

While the pruning in our lives can feel unbearable, we must trust the Master Vinedresser with the process and yield to His expert hands. He alone knows the goodness and potential for which we were created. He alone sees the perfect fulfillment of all He has created us to be; He alone beholds our marvelous future full of hope. (Jeremiah 29:11). 

When doubts assail us and when we question if our lives are capable of bearing any fruit at all, we must remember that if we stay connected to the Vine, our wounds, sins, anxieties, and troubled past become entrance points for the healing sap of Divine Mercy. What we see as obstacles, Jesus sees as opportunities to pour out grace! But we must remain in Him.

Have Faith!

Stay connected to Jesus and allow the Father to tend to your heart. He is the Master Vinedresser who expertly prunes for an abundant life! If, at times, the fruit in your life seems imperceptible and slow, remember that, in spite of appearances, something is growing, and it will soon give way to abundant fruit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me for a beautiful purpose and plan. Help me to trust you as your plan unfolds.  Help me grow in intimacy with you during painful periods of waiting and growth.

Call to Action

Pray with Jeremiah 29:11-13 and allow those words to give you strength, consolation of hope during seasons of sowing, growing, and patience.

 

© 2021 WINE — All Rights Reserved