by Kala Loptien

True Beauty Revealed

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
John 15: 1, ESV

Only recently have I started to enjoy the tedious craft of tending to plants. Hand watering took too long. Pruning all the rose bushes was a painful endeavor. Pulling and spraying weeds felt like “the worst” task in the world. Basically, I was just plain lazy. I failed to appreciate the beauty behind it all; and sadly, failed to be grateful for the blessing of being a property owner.

Tending to these needy plants is an allegory of our own life. In the case of our own Keeper, however, we are lucky little branches. Jesus refers to himself as the true vine and the Father as the vinedresser. He calls us to abide in Him. He is attentive and present—giving us our daily bread in every life-giving sense. The sacraments powerfully restore and revive us as we receive His grace and mercy. Our relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit at work within keeps us secure and safe. Our posture is one of reverence.

Then there are the seasons of pruning. When people and things become a threat; when our own life becomes unhealthy and overgrown with sin. That’s when the work begins. The weeds are yanked, the area cleared and the branches trimmed. In the moment, it can be painful. We may not always (or ever) understand the process.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15: 5, ESV

What a beautiful revelation – when the landscape of our life is made new. Suddenly, we are refined, restored and made alive. With that comes a calling to bear even more fruit. As we continue to abide in Jesus, the true vine, we receive the fortitude and strength to grow and spread the Good News. What a blessing to be so cared for and so loved. I’ll never look at my rose bushes the same way again.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado