Making ordinary... EXTRAORDINARY

Inside the gardens of the Hampton Court Palace grows the world's oldest and largest grape vine.  The plant began as a small cutting and was planted in the castle gardens around 1768 where it is still growing strong today. This amazing plant is known world wide as the "Great Vine."

 At 229 years old, this magnificent plant measures 12 feet around it's massive base and the longest rod stretches beyond 120 feet.  This giant  produces an average of 700 bunches of sweet black grapes each year, weighing in at a staggering 705 pounds!
 
In the early years, the grapes were used only for the pleasure of the Royal Family, but in 1930, George V began sending the grapes into local hospitals. By 1933, visitors to the gardens could purchase the grapes and part of the proceeds were used to buy specialty baskets made by soldiers blinded during the first World War.

So what makes this extraordinary?   A branch does not grow fruit for itself but for others.  

On the last night  Jesus spent with his disciples before His death, his final instructions to his friends was the parable of the Vine and the Branches.  "I am the Vine; you are the branches.  Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit." So what is this fruit we are to bear as disciples in 2015?  Simple things; like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

On the surface we might be tempted to believe we have this covered.  But in reality do we love those who are different then we are?  Are we kind to anyone who disagrees with us?  Are we faithful to our commitments?  Are we in charge of our appetites or do they rule over us?  I personally can say" No Way" to each of these unless I'm connected to Jesus, the Great Vine. I have found when I make a conscious effort to begin each day reading the Bible or watching my favorite preacher online I grow a little more fruit each day.

Like every lesson Jesus taught, this is only part of the lifestyle he asks us to live.  He tells us to grow so we have fruit to give away.  Ordinary people live for themselves....EXTRAORDINARY people learn to abide in the vine so when the harvest is ripe they have much to give.

Scripture Readings:

John 15: 1-17
Galatians 5: 22-26