Growing Wine Grapes
My lovely niece, Alyssia, just got married this past weekend. It was a dream wedding in many ways; a beautiful venue in wine-country in Temecula, California. Poignant marriage vows were uttered in sunsetting glory, followed by a festive and lively reception. It was a wonderful day and the tears, laughter, and smiles were flowing freely as the love for the bride and groom was shared among the family and guests.
One thing that surprised me, as we neared the venue where the marriage ceremony was to take place. We passed by the vineyards and I was really surprised at how the grapes were growing. Instead of big, plump grapes with green leaves growing on the vines, the leaves looked very yellow and dried up. In fact, it was even hard to see the grapes. Moreover, the ground seemed very dry and not moist. It was hard to believe that wine could be made from such conditions. Later, I was surprised to learn that these were actually favorable conditions to grow wine grapes. According to idealwine.info, “Ripening requires plenty of warmth and very little water.”
This reminded me that in marriage and in other meaningful relationships that sometimes the conditions that make it good are contrary to appearances. The world may tell us that the key to a good marriage is having money, status, and wealth but true happiness comes from within.
Strength and growth come from denying self, giving to the other, and putting others above yourself.
Also, the grapes’ roots go very deep and wide as they “search” for water in the soil. The vines need a lot of pruning. Left on their own, the grapes will grow in all kinds of directions. The farmer needs to watch and carefully cut off any stray strands that will not help grow good grapes.
This is why John 15, Jesus says of Himself, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
Jesus used examples from nature to explain spiritual principles to us. “In the growth and development of nature were revealed the principles of His kingdom. As men should lift up their eyes to the hills of God, and behold the wonderful works of His hands, they could learn precious lessons of divine truth.” The Desire of Ages, P. 158
Connection to the True Vine is what we all need, that we allow to cut away anything that hinders us from drawing close to Him. May our lives be fruitful and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit so that we will share the bounty of goodness that God showers us with.
I pray that we can all learn the lessons from the vine, to remain in Jesus as He remains in the Father. And as my niece Alyssia and her husband, Caleb, start their marriage, I pray that they will be rooted and planted in God, that through thick and thin, that their foundation is on Jesus.