"For the ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned." Heb. 6:7-8

In his book on Hebrews, Holiest of All, Andrew Murrray, a Dutch reformed pastor in the mid to later 1800's wrote about "deeper life" themes which speak to our need of paying much closer attention to the call of God into a life of holiness. The theme of holiness is predominant throughout the book with many warnings for "neglecting so great a salvation"

In our age of quick fixes and immediate results,  the word from James 1:4 of allowing endurance to have its perfect result so that we would be perfect and complete lacking in nothing, has an undergirding strength, which gives us a sense that God will produce value, even from the things which cause us greatest consternation.

In the vineyard, an experienced vine dresser knows just when the grapes are ready for harvest by tasting them to see if they have lost their bitterness and the right amount of sweetness has been achieved. Just looking to see if they have changed color on the outside is not an indication of ripeness, so it is necessary to do further testing before harvest. What kind of aroma does the plant give off is one indication, but the true test is to taste and know what the eyes and nose can't discern. Some varieties are harvested earlier because they mature more quickly while others take much longer, but whether early or late in the season each has its own special and distinct flavor for which the vine dresser patiently waits.

Patience seems to be a virtue missing in our culture today and consequently the affects can be seen every day as we drive to work. In the midst of such trying times, what are the flavors that are most evident in our lives. We might have a beautiful color on the outside, and even a pleasant fragrance, but what happens when we are  squeezed a bit. May the flavor we produce be a pleasing one to the Father, and if not, may we have the patience and the faith to know that our heavenly Father is waiting patiently for the external factors at work outside of us to be used to produce something of great value and pleasure to Him.