Remain: The Unremarkable, Remarkable Branch

A few years ago we spent a long weekend in a beautiful home on a vineyard. While visiting the Napa region of CA, we had the treat of being hosted by a master gardener. We ate beautiful food and drank amazing wine while seated at a picnic table overlooking the rolling hills and fruit-laden vines. We talked, laughed and shared all the way up to sunset. As you can imagine, it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

I could go on forever about the beauty of the setting but what does this have to do with spiritual formation? As we strolled the vineyard and spoke with the gardener he educated us on the pruning process of the grapes and how to make the best wines. What I found fascinating was the most unremarkable part was where the vine met the branch.

The familiar words from John 15:5 echoed in my mind.

“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.”

Jesus said, “You are the branch.“ Hmmm. I am the branch. Which means I’m not the gardener. I’m not the vine. I’m not the fruit. I am the branch.

And a branch’s job is to simply stay attached to the vine. Simple. But not easy.