Lessons From the Vineyard
A while ago, my husband and I went to a vineyard – yes, Pastor Jenkins and I went to a vineyard! As the vintner led us through the grapevines, he also explained how he cares for the flourishing fruit on this climbing plant.
He said that occasionally he would notice that a plant is not bearing fruit, and in order to care for a non-thriving vine, he would put stress on the branch. This process is commonly known as “stressing the vine.”
Did you know that stressing the plant is not harmful, but quite the opposite – it promotes fruit?
The vintner explained that as he begins the stressing process, he doesn’t cut away the non-blooming branch; he lifts it away from the water source and moves it higher so that it can get more stress from the sun.
As we were wandering through the vineyard that day, I began to ponder John 15:1-5. Jesus says in verses 1 and 2 in the Passion Translation,
“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest.”
The Vine Is Lifted
Being able to experience the vineyard firsthand and meditating on the words of Jesus allowed me to fully understand His pruning process.
For most, times of stress cause anxiety and fear. But, sister, we don’t have to default to that response. Instead, as we endure hardships, we can have the assurance that God is helping us and lifting us towards the sun – His Son – so that we can bear fruit where we need to. And while the process may be painful for a little while, we can know that God is a patient farmer, and He will care for us throughout its entirety.
The Vine is Connected to the Branch
“So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined with mine.”
John 15:4, TPT
As His vines, we are connected to Him! So let’s take the pressure off of performing, maintaining, and cultivating accomplishments outside of Jesus. Because we are entwined with his branch, He will care for us as we grow. As we remain in Him, He will nurture us, empower us, and care for our needs. And as we thrive and grow in his vineyard, He will tend to our hearts as we flourish through hardship and heartbreak.
The Vine Will Produce Sweet Fruit
“I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you- but when you live separated from me you are powerless.”
John 15:5, TPT
Did you know that when a vintner stresses the vine, the fruit that blossoms from it will be even sweeter than a non-stressed vine?
Stress doesn’t just help to produce the fruit, but the fruit will be sweeter.
Where are you experiencing stress in your life? Maybe it is in the workplace. Or maybe there is tension within a meaningful relationship. Quite possibly, you may be feeling pressure in every aspect of your life.
Can I encourage you to lean into the Holy Spirit and seek His voice? Ask Him to reveal where you may not be producing fruit for His Kingdom.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23, NLT
Jesus reminds us in John 5:5 that as we remain grafted into His branch, He will be our source for growth. In Him, fruitfulness is the natural response. So as we abide in His branch, we will produce good, sweet fruit.
Where in your life are you experiencing the discouragement of stress because of situational difficulties or disruptions in relationships?
In what circumstance are you lacking His fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control?
Let me encourage you that the Lord will lift you as He places you close to the warmth and light of His Son. And from that, you are going to bear fruit, and it is going to be sweet.