My husband and I just came back from a weekend trip to the Napa Valley, California. We went there for our anniversary. Napa and Sonoma are known for amazing wineries, beautiful landscapes and great food. We visited several wineries, touring their vineyards and wine-making facilities. The guides are passionate about making good wine and shared their knowledge with us. They said the best grapes for their finest wine come from vineyards where their environment is carefully stressed. They purposely do not give much water so that the roots can search deeply into the ground for moisture. The soil is perfectly monitored with just the right amount of added qualities. These chosen vineyards are planted in the mountainous hills rather than the lower valleys so that they can struggle in their growth. The guides gave reasons why this is the only way to grow highest quality grapes for fine wine. I didn’t pay close attention to the reasons but instead I felt bad for these chosen vineyards! However when I heard how expensive the finished wine costs and after tasting the super expensive bottle at our tasting, I had to reconsidered my sympathy. Wow the taste was ridiculously amazing and I’m not even a wine connoisseur! 

Now that I have more knowledge about making good wine, I see how meticulously and diligently a big team of talented people are behind this long process. I also see how highly valued these vineyards are to the growers because they have put incredible hard work and resources into these vineyards.

Jesus told us that he is the vine and we are the branches. Apart from him we can not produce good fruit. Sometimes I wish Jesus doesn’t take us through dry and difficult seasons. But I’m beginning to understand why it’s necessary. He is asking us to make our roots reach deeper into him, the source of our living water. The tragedy is when we stop reaching and give up. I have experienced those tragedies twice in my lifetime. It’s awful. 

Third time is the charm. Figuratively, I believe my vineyard produced a great harvest of grapes. The Lord is faithfully showing me the good wine that’s been produced. When others encounter us, we are like a wine tasting. My mother-in-law told me how her extended family members speak so highly of me. I had no idea her extended family members regard me so well. I’m thrilled to know this. She’s very touched too. Only four years ago my relationship with her was tense; today we are kind, loving and appreciative of one another. 

Trust me friends. If you stick it out with Jesus through the dry and difficult seasons without getting bitter and angry , then one day you will suddenly see an amazing harvest with high quality wine produced. You will discover that you are the high quality wine that Jesus uses to serve others with. It’s a real joy and honor. I’ll be praying for you. Please pray for me too. – From the heart with love. 

John 15:5 New Life Version (NLV)
I am the Vine and you are the branches. Get your life from Me. Then I will live in you and you will give much fruit. You can do nothing without Me.