The Whispers of God

Where I live in California there are acres and acres of grapevines. Most of the grapes harvested are for the wineries in the area. It’s summer time here, and I’ve been appreciating the beauty of their deep green vines. During the winter months there were no leaves and very few branches and, of course, no fruit. So, the acres and acres were barren and brown.

Last winter my husband, Dan, was so overzealous in pruning the few plants in our yard we thought they would die from the severity of it. Today I took a walk in the garden to look at those forlorn bare bushes to see if they survived. What I saw amazed me and comforted my heart. The vine was full of branches and on those branches were minuscule clusters—the promise of fruit. And along the branches were thin thread-like tendrils wrapping themselves around the staking wires.

In my heart I sensed a message from the Lord.

You are like these severely pruned branches. Just as you wondered if these plants would bear fruit again, you have feared in the winter of your trials. My Father is the Husbandman who prunes and removes the dead things in your life. These are the things in your heart which will not bear fruit and are not of Me. But you have remained in Me—even during the barren time—and so you will bear fruit in season.

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful… Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:1-2, 4/NIV)

There is nothing more important than abiding in the true vine, which is symbolic of our relationship with Jesus. But there is something else we can do to help support the fruit and keep strong in serving and living for the Lord.

The tendrils of the grapevines are curly membranes that coil themselves around objects to give support to the heavy fruit laden branches. They can represent the obvious things like reading the Word of God, being an active part of the Church and gathering together with other believers. These are the areas the Lord has been speaking to my heart about clinging to, so I will be strengthened in my walk of faith.

What areas do you feel the Lord speaking to your heart to cling to so you will be supported in your walk with Him?

Lord, Help me to surrender to Your zealous pruning, so that the fruit I bear will bring You glory and not to myself. And show me where to place the tendrils of my heart so that I cling only to those things which will support Your fruit and cause me to be strong in faith.