Lessons from Grapes
Autumn is a favorite season for many, and I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t enjoy the changing colors of the foliage, especially in a vineyard. Lake County is one of the most beautiful regions of California—rolling hills surrounding a large and natural lake; fertile valleys filled with pears, walnuts, and grapes; a “Mediterranean climate;” a population fewer than 70,000; and air quality that is often rated as the best in the nation.
For three years in a row our county has suffered devastating wildfires, following on the heels of several years of drought. More than 1600 homes/businesses have been lost, hundreds of families moved away, and at least a 25% loss in our tax base. For a county that already is one of the poorest in this wealthy state of California, it sometimes seems that we’ll never be able to recover. It’s as if the crises just keep coming.
A “pressing” or a “crushing?” Which label would you use?
Because our community is surrounded by vineyards, please allow me the metaphor of grapes. Earlier this month, my bestie and I were blessed to attend a conference with speaker and author Beth Moore, during which she helped us dig into the Scriptures and also offered up some fascinating information on the life/use of grapes. One point that she made keeps popping back up in my mind:
We can look at our negative circumstances as either a “pressing” or a “crushing.”
There’s a great difference! Check the dictionary:
“press”–to compress or squeeze, as to alter in shape or size; to extract juice/sugar by pressure
“crush”–to press or squeeze with a force that destroys or deforms
Beth Moore recommended that we take a closer look at our own lives and choose our labels carefully. We all have, or will have, circumstances that crush us either physically, emotionally, or in regards to a relationship. But more often, our trials could be called pressings. As I look back at my nearly 59 years, I’ve experienced a few times when I’ve felt crushed: injury/illness, loss of loved ones, and loss of dreams. Far more often my troubles have been disappointments in myself and others.
God never wastes any experiences. We can be the “fruit” and the “wine” He uses for his glory.
We all have a choice. So now:
I CHOOSE to view those painful times and circumstances with new eyes.
I CHOOSE to acknowledge the day-to-day struggles in life simply as pressings, not crushings.
I CHOOSE to give God the glory for allowing the pressures that will transform me, alter me, and extract the goodness He’s put in me.
I CHOOSE to be used by the Master and let my “juice” flow for Him.
“We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;”
– 2 Cor. 4:8 (AMPC)
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
I’d love to share with you a favorite fall recipe: Savory Pumpkin Soup
It’s quick to pull together, a great side dish for a celebration or holiday feast, tasty with a salad on the side for a lighter meal, and terrific left over for a packed lunch. You can “taste autumn” in every bite!
Yes! I love autumn! The season of Thanksgiving! God’s splendor that has been there all along, revealed for all to see! Cooler days have arrived! And yes, the end to our disastrous wildfire season! Am I the only one who thought October felt like August!?
I love Beth Moore! I enjoy her fiery, fervent passion for the Lord! I connect with her on-the-verge-of-neurotic, do-you-hear-me-girlfriend!?… impending cry of NOW! The time is NOW! Live, Breathe, JESUS NOW!
Why did I ‘only almost’ go to her Sacramento conference last month!? Perhaps you and your bestie were at that one? Smart girls! Thanks for bringing the knowledge back to us!
For months now, I’ve been drawn to work through Beth Moore’s “Entrusted” bible study course. As I FINALLY move through it, I realize I have been called to gather wisdom in the realm of ‘entrustment’. Needing to reinforce my physical & emotional strength, focus, and stamina for the tasks the Lord has put on my heart…dropped in my lap…to do for Him. When He asks, I choose to be at His service. In the last few years, the tasks presented to me have taken on a spiritual urgency and an ultimate importance in the all things of the Lord. I too, feel fervent passion for living, breathing, sharing Christ through the Gospel’s message. The stakes are high, the souls are needy. I feel the pressure.
I tussle with this pressure, while in constant performance in His service. I get stuck in this aging thing, which is throwing me a new curve in life. He just wouldn’t ask if He thought I wasn’t up to the tasks at hand. This analogy of ‘pressing’ vs ’crushing’ helps me to see I have a choice in how I perceive and manage the pressure.
I see I can let go of the imaginings of the impending doom of being ‘crushed’ to the realization that I am being firmly ‘pressed’ to quite capably do the work He calls me to do. The work of Dr. Caroline Leaf pops to mind. She is a Christian neuroscientist who shares expertise & knowledge in optimizing good physical health and emotional well-being through good nutrition and proper thinking. Her books are worth a read. Her Christian view as a neuroscientist is enlightening & refreshing. My aging self, again hears her sound advice, realizing I need to step up and engage in my game of well-being. Advancing age no longer lets me put physical & emotional health on a simmering back burner. It now needs to be front and center in a boiling watched pot.
And the beauty in this is…I am AMAZED to see all that He has had in store for me during this season of my life! That I am allowed the pressures that will transform me, alter me, YET AGAIN!? That the faithful Holy Spirit STILL prompts me in the renewing of my aging mind!? He wants to extract MORE goodness He’s put in me!? WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE, to be further used by the Master in letting my life continuously flow, for His Kingdom and Glory!
Friends! Keep your physical selves, your minds, and your hearts strengthened and ready for His use. These components of you will not “crush” but will be “pressed” into new avenues of service for the Lord. Step up, engaging the Holy Spirit in renewing your sound mind and capable body to recognize, acknowledge, and rethink how to manage the pressure. Engage His help. He will empower you. Then move on with a ‘pressing’ urgency, as there is much to do for His Kingdom and Glory!
Sister,
Amen and amen! You bless me and all who know you!
With love and admiration,
Becky