Because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3b-4
Making Great Wine – 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 One of Italy’s favorite destinations is the Piedmont region, home of some of the best vineyards in Italy. This is no surprise for a wine aficionado. A representative from one of the leading vineyards in the area was leading a tour of the vineyard to a group of visitors. He began a startling statement, “The quality of the wine is based on the suffering of the vine.” What did he mean by that? As one looks out on the vineyards, they notice that the hills were densely populated with vines. The host pointed out that the vines are deliberately planted close together so that they have to compete for nutrients and water. The competition drives their roots deeper into the soil and give the grape they produced the complexity and richness required to make a great wine, such as the Barolo for which the region is known. Great people rarely develop in isolation. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, character is formed by enduring suffering. And, as the Italian vineyard host suggests, that suffering is like that of a grapevine. It comes from being placed in particular times and places, and with a particular community of people, that requires us to “go deep looking for nutrients and water.” That’s how our capacity to serve our communities and organizations is formed within us. I find myself often wanting to escape the conditions that make for great wine in people. It’s tempting to avoid dealing with difficult people and unmanageable circumstances. It is also easy to gloss over important underlying issues rather than dealing with them. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wisely said that idealism is the enemy of community. In other words, not facing the realities of our community context actually undermines the possibility of real and healthy organizational relationships. And, it deprives us and those we serve of the gift of being required to “go deep looking for nutrients and water.” To use the language of Paul, we should see our suffering as God’s gift to form our character and that of those we serve and lead. The noted biblical scholar, N.T. Wright, has said that the biblical text is both supple and subtle. Sounds almost like the characteristic of great wine, doesn’t it? So, it should be for those of us who are formed by a biblical vision of discipleship. But that means embracing the suffering that discipleship requires rather than escaping into a simplistic and ultimately destructive practice of discipleship. As our community context – and the suffering we encounter there – requires us to go deeply into the soil of God’s character and faithfulness, we find ourselves developing a complex and rich capacity to serve and lead. We become a great wine worthy of the Great Wine Maker. Lord Jesus Christ, we are grateful that You are the vine and we are the branches. We are grateful that Your life is what produces fruit in our lives, and that we are not left to try and produce that life on our own. Often, we find ourselves in close quarters with what seems to us impossible problems. But, we are reminded that You have placed us there by Your design and for our good. Help us to embrace the gift You have given us and to go deep with You. You alone are our help and confidence. Produce in us the great wine that is worthy of Your Name. Amen. Comments are closed.
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