rose

I have never tried to graft a rose. Although I have roses in my garden, and it looks like a challenge I would take on just to see if I could do it, it looks tedious.

Grafting is a process that takes continued nurturing to make sure the bud cut from one rose fuses to the stem of the plant you want it to grow from. If the bud is cut wrong, it will wilt and die. If the stem of the main plant is cut too deep, the bud won’t get the nutrients it needs to grow. If the bud is not attached correctly, the two will not fuse.

Everything has to be just right for the tiny little bud to attach and become part of the main plant.

We, as Gentiles, have been adopted into God’s family—grafted to Him—the source of life.

Everything had to be just right for this to happen, and God is the Only One who could—and would—do it.

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (John 15:1)

God is the gardener—with more love and patience than I can ever imagine—tenderly nurturing every branch of the vine.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:5-6)

After a while, a gardener knows if the rose bud will grow or die. Just like it will not grow if it does not get the nutrients from the main stem, our faith will not grow if it is not nourished through the source of life.

So, how do we make sure our faith continues to grow? By abiding in Jesus. He holds us close, but He won’t force us to stay attached to the vine.

We must make that effort…

…to be in His Word

…to listen for His voice

…to worship with others

…to pray daily, talking to Him and including Him in our day

…to follow His lead, even when we’d rather go our own way.

This effort may not be easy, but it will always be worth it.

How do you make sure you remain in Jesus—the true vine?

 

In Christ,
Laura
Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith
 

Photo credit: Stock photo: ROSE