Several years ago, my man and I toured a few vineyards in California’s wine country. We were there on business, but on this exceptionally gorgeous afternoon, we and another couple escaped the hotel for a bit of adventure. We wound up in the gently rolling hills of Napa Valley. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. The pleasantly warm temperatures that mingled with the gentle breeze felt good on our skin and created an absolutely perfect day. We learned a great deal about grapes, vines, soil, and fertilizer.

Just recently, I discovered that Beth Moore, after touring Italy with her girls, also became just as intrigued by the grape growing process. In her new book Chasing Vines, Beth begins the introduction by stating a common desire: we all want to matter. She then expounds in wonderful detail about the tender care the vines receive from the gardener, or as the ESV translates it, the vinedresser.

Beth naturally chose John 15 as the foundation for comparing the vinedresser’s attention to that of God’s.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2, ESV)

I’m pretty sure that if you’re old enough to read this, you know all about pruning. You know that in order to have a life that consistently displays the big, plump, juicy fruit of the Spirit, you have to get rid of a few things that hinder the process.

But do you know how important the rocks are? Yes, those pesky rocks that Alabama farmers work to rid their fields of.

Before the first grapevine is ever planted in Italy or California, the gardener looks for slopes with rocky soil. He knows that the roots of the grapevine have to be forced to wiggle through the rocks in order to stay dry and become strong enough to support the fruit. Grapevine roots don’t like wet feet, but when given the choice, they always prefer the easy route through soft soil. If the roots aren’t strengthened by a difficult path, then the grapes resist popping out. So, I guess you could say, it’s the stress on the root that forces the fruit.

We all have many good rocks that God has gently placed into the soil of our lives. The School of Hard Rocks that taught you the benefits of a job well done exemplifies the good rocks that’s continue to strengthen and sustain you.

Maybe you’ve discovered some good rocks of hard circumstances, challenging relationships, or rocky environments buried just below the surface of your life. They were placed there not only to help you grow stronger but also to force you to learn some hard things about yourself. Pick up those rocks, and give them a big ol’ kiss!

Then, there are those bad rocks which Satan gleefully throws in front of us and even diabolically places deep within our life’s soil. He thinks if he throws enough of them at us for long enough, we will eventually wither and die. He knows the fruit we are capable of producing better than we do, and he will stop at nothing to halt the process.

Perhaps you’ve become the collateral damage of someone else’s actions or you feel buried beneath the weight of depression, anxiety, or loneliness. Maybe Satan’s thrown some hard lies into your ears, causing you to believe your efforts at love have all been wasted. You’re convinced you don’t really matter to the people who matter to you. Trust me, God didn’t place those boulders there, but He can use them (and your stubbornness) to strengthen you. Your Master Gardener will smile when He sees you hoist those heavy rocks one at a time high above your head as a testimony to what God can do! “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)

I’m not afraid to say that Satan has made me foot-stomping-fit-pitching mad! I’m so glad the Spirit living inside of you and me is greater than the one who thinks he can get the best of us! I’ve got Satan’s number. I’m on to his tactics, and I’m not afraid of confronting him anymore. I’m no longer taking the easy way through the soft soil. Easy only produces a bunch of showy leaves. They look good on the outside but produce absolutely nothing to entice anyone else to trust the Vinedresser. Let’s humble ourselves so we can learn our lessons, bust through some rocks, and get on with what God’s called us to do. Are you willing?

“The Lord lives – blessed be the rock!” (Psalms 18:46, CSV)

Donna Jackson
Lean into Jesus Ministries

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