The Vine and the Branches

Recently, my husband and I were very blessed to go on a trip to South Australia. It was partly a business trip for him, so I would have three days on my own to explore the cities while he worked during the day. Before we left to go, I asked God why He was sending me with Paul across the world, and why would He want to bless me so abundantly, with a gift such as this. The timing of the trip was not "good", because the children all had their end of the school year activities. Yet, our parents agreed to take care of our three children for nine days, and before I knew it, we were on the plane headed across the Pacific Ocean...

"Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. This is to my Fathers glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples." John 15:4-5; 8.

Over the course of three days exploring this distant land, the Lord faithfully took me by the hand and led me exactly where He wanted me to be. He first delighted me in a 200 year old church, where I heard His Word, sang praises to His name, and shared the Lord's Supper with His disciples. After the small service ended, the nine Australian Believers invited me to have tea with them, and we sat together and talked for a while. I was so humbled and felt so welcomed by these strangers. Then I realized they really weren't strangers, but were my sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ...

I returned to my hotel room, and eagerly went down the list of area churches. I wanted to be with God's people, and really excited after the morning worship. But it was a Tuesday morning, and chances were slim that any other churches would be having services for the day. Nevertheless, I asked the Lord for a little favor. As I was reading down the list of area churches, I mentioned to the Lord how much I really, really wanted to study His Word with other Believers while in Australia. I picked up the phone, called one of the churches not far from the hotel, and guess what?! Not only did the Lord have mercy on me, but He delighted my heart just because I asked Him. This church was starting a Bible study in 15 minutes with a group of elderly folks, and they would love to come and pick me up from the hotel to join them! Off I went, and before I knew it, I was reading the Word of God with another group of Christ Followers! It was wonderful as we discussed how we bring glory to God.

I thought to myself,

One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...
EVERY knee will bow, EVERY tongue will confess...
The ENTIRE world will speak the name of JESUS CHRIST AS LORD...
Amazing...

Once again, I was welcomed with open arms, as a sister in Christ. I had visited two different churches with two different denominations, yet I felt we were indeed one body of Believers. We all loved Jesus as Lord of our lives, and we all read the same Word. I thought of Jesus' prayer in the Bible as He asked the Father to make the church one unified body of Believers. Then the world would know Jesus was sent from the Father, and because of our unity, they would know that the Father loves them as much as He loves Jesus.

The days went by on the trip, and I was blessed to attend three other worship services during the week, at three other denominations. My Heavenly Father held my hand the entire time, leading me and teaching me.

By the way, did I mention that at ALL five church services, the SAME SCRIPTURE WAS MENTIONED?

"I am the true Vine, and my Father is the gardener..."

John 15 was spoken about in every single church service that week in Australia. Not once, but five different times, at five different churches, from five different denominations.

"Remain in Me, and I will remain in you...Apart from Me, you can do nothing..."

Heavenly Father, I never want to go anywhere without You leading me by the hand. I am nothing without You, and I am so humbled and thankful to be Your daughter. You are indeed the Vine and the Gardner. I love you, Dear Lord, and thank you for grafting us into You. May we, Your children, always remain dependent upon You for everything in our lives. May we abide in You and always bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I took this picture in Australia before I attended any of the worship services there.

Just one small branch in the Vine of Jesus Christ,

         Alison