Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In my prayers recently I find myself reflecting a lot on trust. Trusting in anything other than myself and my hard work and dedication can feel very challenging and vulnerable. If you’re anything like me, you prefer moving forward with a plan. I like to see the road map laid out before me and to know where I am going. But trusting the Lord means I am not privy to the map. I don’t know the steps to take. I have to trust that He does. It can feel very difficult for me to take a step in faith, not knowing what the outcome will be or where it will lead. But we’re told over and over again to trust in the Lord and to trust in His plan. I know that’s what I am called to do but it can be so scary!
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus say, “I am the vine. You are the branches.” When I think more deeply about this metaphor I find a deep sense of peace. When a vine is growing it often meanders all around, covering as much ground as it can. It is not a straight, even line but rather a wandering, expansive stem. And from this vine, comes the branches – us! That means that we are rooted in this vine and that anywhere we are being called to go and to grow, God, our vine has been there before us and is still with us. Just like a vine, our path to holiness may not be straight and clean and direct. It may have some twists and bumps and curves, but we can hold fast to the truth that God is bringing us through each twist, turn and bump. And for me, this makes it easier to trust. I know that God is with me and guiding me to the final destination, even if the path meanders and curves.
And where is that final destination? Where are we headed? We look to today’s psalm for guidance. We hear the cry, “Let us go rejoicing to the House of the Lord.” The House of the Lord – our goal, our destination, our focus. We are not called to go there scared, crying, or fearful. We are to go rejoicing, trusting in God’s goodness and God’s plan.
Amen.
—AJ Grimm