The Grapes - Lynne Phipps

Please help me welcome good friend and long-time writer, Lynne Phipps, to Love Lines from God.  

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4: 7 NIV

The last of the green grapes had been in the refrigerator for at least two weeks. I decided it was time to eat them or throw them out—something I loathed to do. I scolded myself for not enjoying them sooner. 

Taking them out of the bag, I rinsed them in the sink and laid them on some paper towels to sort through the bunch. I systematically discarded the green globes pitted by bad spots, wrinkles, or splits, along with the definitely spongy soft ones. What was left that I deemed worthy became part of my breakfast that morning.

This process of sorting through the fruit and discarding those not worthy reminded me of an important truth concerning God: God discards none of his people. No matter how old and wrinkled we are or fractured and split by life's occurrences, no matter how weak or ravaged by illness, no matter how our minds become impaired, we are still loved, valued, and useful to God for the glory of his kingdom.

In fact, God delights in using the imperfect. The apostle Paul revealed this when he wrote the following words of truth to the church in Corinth:

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NLT

Today, we might feel like those poor old grapes I discarded: a bit worn, wrinkled, tired, useless, foolish, sick, discouraged, unemployed, or poor. If so, we can take our eyes off our circumstances and focus on God's truth. 

God loves you and will never discard you. He still has a purpose for you in his kingdom, a purpose which he can bring to fruition as you abide in the true vine, Jesus Christ, who has promised: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit" (John 15:5 NIV).

Father God, thank You that You have a plan and a purpose for Your people, no matter what their circumstances might be. Help each of us remember this truth and stay close to the true vine, Jesus Christ, so that we might always continue to bear much fruit for the kingdom. In Christ's name, amen.

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Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country.  She has been writing devotionals for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God.

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