An Exceptional, Unbroken and Fruitful Vine

Jesus, speaking to his followers, (John 15:5) - "I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing."

I have always been interested in true stories of people who survived, against all odds, in the face of impossible physical circumstances.  I recently read "Unbroken," by Laura Hillenbrand, ---http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/ --- the true story of Louie Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who went on to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.  Louie and his buddy, Russell, survived a plane crash into the ocean. They drifted in a life boat for 2000 miles over 47 days, and existed by eating raw birds they were able to catch when the birds landed on their heads. They were convinced they were finally going to be saved when they were spotted by a plane. But, their fortunes went from impossible to torturous when it turned out to be a Japanese military plane and, after being strafed with machine gun fire, they were eventually plucked from the ocean by a Japanese vessel and sent off to a Japanese interment camp.
The book chronicles Louie's two years of imprisonment, his numerous merciless beatings, and the countless humiliations he suffered at the hands of his captors. Somehow, (and you need to read the book to find out how) he emerged from this absolutely horrendous experience and remained "Unbroken."

During our trip to Italy, we saw many magnificent sights. We saw the breathtaking beauty of the mountains touching the sea in Cinque Terre. We stared in awe at centuries old art, painted by the masters of the Renaissance.  We were mesmerized by views of incredible painted domes and gilded altars. And, in the midst of all this natural and man-made wonder I stopped to notice a simple vine growing up the side of a three-story house. It was an old and sturdy vine and it climbed up the wall of the home, delivering shade and flowers and fruit to the roof-top terrace. I was impressed. I had to stop and stare. For, as remarkable as it was that this vine had somehow survived and reached the top of the wall, what was even more remarkable to me was its origin. This old vine had grown from inside the house! It had its roots deep in some unseen soil in the footings of the wall. It grew inside in darkness for about eight feet, and then grew into the cement wall itself. It emerged from a small window and then continued its climb all the way, 30 feet up to the top, an unbroken vine.

And, since as I have already confessed, I like to find deep theological meaning in simple, unexpected things, I had to study this sight. As I did, I could not help but think about the words of Jesus, "I am the vine.....if any remain in me and I in them, they produce much fruit. If they do not remain in me, they are like a branch that is thrown away and dies."
This remarkable vine survived by remaining. It sunk its roots down, grew out of darkness, made its way out from under the weight of heavy obstacles, and just kept growing toward the light. It provided me with a living example of what it means to remain...to stay long enough to bear fruit.
The opposite of remaining is leaving, giving up, abandoning. Jesus told his followers to stay. He knew they would want to leave. He knew it would require sacrifice. He knew it would seem impossible. But he promised that if they would remain, he would continue to nourish their souls and that they would produce fruit.
No matter what obstacles we face in life, Jesus' promise still holds. If you happen to read Louie Zamperini's story, you will see Jesus' promise displayed in a powerful way and, perhaps, you may find the courage to hold on through your present darkness and the weight of your circumstances. But, if you're not a reader, then just study the picture of this remarkable vine and take heart. Persevere. Remain in Jesus. And one day you, too, will reach the top. And, in the process, you will share the fruit of your life as Jesus' follower with someone who lives there.