Long term residents of the Granite Belt will understand the imagery of the vine and the vine dresser. At the moment the vines are changing colour and soon they will drop their leaves ready for the pruning that will ensure fruitfulness next season.
In John 15 Jesus refers to himself as the True Vine and God the Father as the vine dresser. The image helps us to recognise that the whole of God’s people make up the vine and are incorporated into Christ. We cannot be the Church without that connectedness. Furthermore, there may be times when we feel we are being pruned back and that can be painful. As congregations, and as individuals seasons of fruitfulness are often followed by a season of cutting back. Thinking about tough times as pruning can help us find the hope in tough times.
Grace and peace, Kaye
