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Cultivating a Sustainable Rhythm of Life
Bud Break Expectancy
The integrity and health of the bud is dependent on the long journey it has endured over the past year. The tiny buds all across the vineyard hold the entire harvest for this year. So much hope and expectancy are packed into those tiny buds!
Even the Vines Weep
The weeping of the vines is a paradox. On the one hand, the vine is joyfully pushing water up from the roots to the branches testing the newly formed system of straw-like cells in preparation for new spring growth. On the other hand, the nutrient-rich sap leaves the vine through the cuts of pruning, dropping to the ground like tears, healing the wound in the process.
Pruning: A Picture of Hope
The vineyard in winter gives us a picture of hope.
Every branch that bore fruit this past year has been pruned back. If the vine could talk, we could imagine it describing adversity, sadness, and excruciating discomfort in the pruning process. Perhaps, to the vine, pruning feels like wounding or like all hope is lost. There certainly is no evidence of fruitfulness. But if we lean in, we can see tiny, brown buds left where the old cane was cut off.
Lent Meditations in the Vineyard
Join us on a Lent journey in the vineyard. We will engage Scripture about vineyards and wine, mostly drawing from John 15:1-17. Then, we’ll consider a metaphor from the vineyard that will lead us to reflect on our life and invite us to connect more deeply with the Triune God.
Photosynthesis: Transformed Leadership
Photosynthesis gives us a model for transformation. A leader who pays attention to character development and intentionally turns towards truth and goodness, will competently metabolize adversity, creating a nourishing and generous environment for the people he or she leads.
Inflorescence: Character on Display
The character of a leader is simultaneously on display and being developed during times of crisis. Leading during corona virus exposes a leader's character... for better or for worse. Inflorescence is a metaphor from the vineyard that reminds leaders of how closely related fruitful success is to character development.
Cover Crop: Planting Hope in the Tough Times
Leaders who care about purpose, character and outcomes will learn to plant seeds of hope in the tough times, anticipating the next season of fruitfulness.
Pruning: The Gift of Letting Go
The yearly rhythm of pruning in the vineyard reminds us that death is a prerequisite to life. Ultimately, pruning produces abundance.
Holidays: The Gift of Light
Light conquers darkness. Every. Time. Here are a few ways we can be a light in our context, promote flourishing and, ultimately, bring in a fruitful harvest.
Rest: A Prerequisite for Fruitfulness
The vineyard teaches us the necessity of rest...storing our energy for the next season. Without reserves there is no subsequent harvest.