The Vineyard Keeper
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the Vineyard Keeper” (John 15:1). God the Father is the Vineyard Keeper, which is awesome because think about what that role entails: a vineyard keeper is close to his vineyard and aware of what is happening with each and every vine. He is not only aware, but He is also actively caring for those vines. Before I began gardening I did not understand the relationship between a person and her plants. When folks said that they talked to their plants or that they named their plants I thought they were just a little bit on the crazy side, you know? The closest relationship I had had with a plant had been with an Easter Lily we had been given when Greg’s father passed away. Those plants are hard to kill, yet I managed to find a way to do so. But before the plant’s demise I did bring myself to keeping it “alive” for a couple of years (I’m using the term “alive” very loosely in this instance). You see, rather than keeping it alive & thriving, it was more like an experiment in seeing resurrection power. Here’s what would happen: I’d water the plant; then I wouldn’t even look at it for like three weeks; finally, I’d see that it was sad and droopy, barely hanging onto dear life, or perhaps even dead (question mark?); I’d water it again, practically drowning the poor thing; and then I’d watch in amazement as the once seemingly dead leaves were “resurrected” as they perked back up. I found this process quite fascinating, and I repeated it until it finally could take no more from me. Sick, I know. Aren’t you glad that God does not tend His garden like that? Some folks in this world falsely believe that He does—that He is just “up there in heaven doing His thing,” while we are here on earth living unnoticed lives, uncared for and barely hanging on for dear life. That is simply not true! Now that I have a garden I have sadly, no really happily, become one of those crazy people who have a relationship with their plants. (I’ve even named a few, like Bert the Fern and Matilda the Vinca). Each morning I wake up and I go check on my “babies” of the green variety and I see if they are happy or a little wimpy looking. And I do not leave them there just to fend for themselves. No I am armed with my watering can, spray water bottle, pruning shears and fertilizer. I care for them (and they love me). Our Heavenly Father is the same way. He is involved with His vineyard, His people, His creation. He cares for us and does whatever is necessary to help us along so that we may bear fruit. How awesome is that? As you think through the truth behind God being our Vineyard Keeper answer these questions:
Bio
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Name: Jennifer Poppy