Wine.Wool.WildHoney
I recently finished a book titled Scouting the Divine. The author Margaret Feinberg, writes about her quest as she seeks to think of the Bible as more than a dusty old book.
The Bible has so much depth to offer, but Margaret found herself having trouble relating to certain passages that she had read countless number of times, and also seemed ancient.
As she puts it, how can we fully grasp abiding in the vine when we buy our grapes at the store, and how do we look at Jesus as the Good Shepherd when we only see sheep in petting zoos?
These questions led her on a journey, where she spent time with a shepherdess, a farmer, a beekeeper, and a vintner. With everyone she spent time with, she shared scriptures with them related to their skill, and asked for their insight.
While meeting with Lynne the shepherdess, Margaret grew a deeper understanding of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. When Lynne called her sheep, they came running to her, just as Jesus said about his sheep (us). And Margaret marveled at the fact that Lynne knew every one of her sheep by name, and knew their personalities and traits.
Meeting with her farmer friends Joe and Aaron, Margaret learned about God’s timing, the need for qualified workers, and the need to rest, all concepts spoken of in relation to our walk with Christ and being his people.
Her time with Gary the beekeeper gave her a deeper understanding of the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. She was impacted by Gary, who trusted God even though his bees were dying and his business suffered as a result. The image of bees also gave Margaret a better view of the Body of Christ, and how each believer has a special role to play.
And meeting with Kristof the vintner, Margaret was blown away while thinking of God as the vinedresser, and the purpose of pruning us so we experience greater growth.
Reading through Margaret’s journey was inspiring, and brought new light to passages that I had been in the habit of passing over because I thought I knew what they were about.
I was also struck by the common theme weaving through the entire book, that God knows each and every one of us intimately. He knows our name, our traits, our strengths, and out weaknesses. He knows exactly how to prune us, when to bring trials, and how much we can handle.
Know today that you are known and loved by your Heavenly Father, the Good Shepherd, the vinedresser, the provider.
I leave you with some verses from Psalm 139:
“For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13,14
Grace and Peace.
