The Gardener, The Vine and the Branches

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit... (John 15:1,5)

Without God's help, we are powerless to heal our pain and transform our ingrained patterns. We can not control the process of healing and transformation. We think we can. We try with all our might. We fail and then condemn ourselves and end up in a worse place! The rest of John 15:5 says "apart from me you can do nothing". We must stay attached to the vine. We need to be rooted and grounded in God's love. Being "rooted" means supported, grounded, and fixed firmly. A plant does not produce its best flowers or fruit unless it has its roots firmly planted. This takes special care, a rooting solution, extra water, and careful observation that all is well. Once a plant is rooted, it is kept strong by its roots. When we are rooted to Christ Jesus, our nourishment comes from him. Our transformation comes from his love and grace. Our job is too stay "rooted" or connected to Him. We submit ourselves to the process and we get the nutrients God provides, we endure the weeding and pruning and we absorb the water and sunlight of his love, grace and truth.
Many times we want to hurry through the growing process but just as a plant begins as a seed, so does our healing. Just as the soil needs to be prepared and nurtured, so do we. The Holy Spirit begins a good work in us and guides us in all truth (1 John 16:13). He is our constant companion and indwelling source of comfort and power. He awakens us to our sinfulness and broken state. He stirs and agitates us as HE prepares our soul for the grace and love of Jesus. As we receive this life giving nourishment and submit to the process, God will produce a harvest. We can not will healing or growth; like a growing plant, with the right ingredients, it happens.

"just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6-7)

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)