John 15:1-8
Few Christians have gotten far in their faith without hearing a sermon on the True Vine. I have always believed the necessity of being attached to our source, the Lord Jesus Christ. Without him, we can do nothing. But today I was thinking about how being attached to the Jesus connects us with a whole "eco-system." Jesus is the source, but that source of life connects us to the warm sunshine, the nutrients of the soil, the moisture of the water. And because of this we can see abundant, beautiful, ripe fruit. When we are cut off, we are not only cut off from the Vine but also from all the others connected to him that contribute to our abundant nurture.
Just recently I was feeling cut off. It seemed that things were out of sync. I was feeling restless even though my times with the Lord were meaningful. I wondered if I should be doing something else, hanging out with different people, or simply withdraw for a while. Then something happened that showed me what I would be losing if I were to be cut off from the community to which I belong.
My grandnephew, a young man filled with life, promise and passion for the Lord, was killed in a repelling accident in the caves of Georgia. We were all stunned. We know he is with the Lord, but lament all that life and potential taken from us. Within hours the Christian community that Grant had touched in so many different ways, gathered around us to support and give us exactly what we needed, often before we even knew we needed it. Families opened their homes to out of town guests. The Baptist church across the street from our Presbyterian church opened their fellowship hall to house the over 200 students coming from Grant's university. Young Life lovingly provided a family dinner, which they quietly and efficiently set and cleaned up. The church family organized a dinner to serve the over 600 people who attended the service. The motel across the street from the church permitted the university students to swim and have a birthday party for Grant who would have been 21 on the day after his funeral. And the list goes on encompassing the smallest detail--each person and group contributing their gifts. While this is happening on a grand scale due to the unusual circumstances and attention to Grant's death, I had seen this same generosity offered to us when my mother died. Mother was not even a member of the church. But the women of the church pulled together to provide a lovely reception for our small family gathering, brought food for us, sent cards, and continued to support and love us through our grief. Theses gifts nurtured our souls, feeding us so that we in turn can minister to others who suffer loss.
It is tempting as we age, to desire independence. To prove that we can handle things ourselves, that we don't need help, and that we haven't lost it yet. But, once again I am reminded that we are part of a vine--a vine that has many branches and leaves, which together produce a beautiful, rich harvest. One grape would barely wet the tongue. It is true that we are called to give of ourselves to others, but it is also true that we are to receive from one another. Grant's death is a witness to the wider community, both of those who are giving and those who are gratefully receiving from the vine of our Lord. Without him we can do nothing. With him we are reaping a harvest of compassion, hospitality, care, shared grief, mutual tears, love, encouragement,wisdom and simple presence. Jesus came to heal the broken hearted and slowly we feel our hearts being mended.
