"I am the True Vine"

For those who have all the natural talents and God given abilities an individual could desire, this post is not for you. This post is dedicated to those of us who never found our niche. It is dedicated not to the bench players, but to the players who wished they made the bench.

The first time I got cut from a team was when I was in grade seven. I believe it was the first time I had ever tried out for a team. I was attending Glen Cedar Public school in Newmarket, where I was still a relatively new student to the school. I had moved there the year before and was fitting in nicely to my new environment. At Glen Cedar, grade seven marked the year we as students were introduced to competitive team sports. We were all encouraged to participate in the tryouts (a cruel ploy concocted by the heartless teachers I'm sure) so that we could somehow become better people as a result. At the time, I believed basketball would be my best fit. I had the height, I had a net at home (although I rarely used it) and I also believed I had the style to make the team.

It was now time to prove I had what it took to be a "baller". With high hopes and inflated expectations of my new future career I practiced as hard as I could. Determined to show the coach my skills I made sure to never be last in the suicides (another cruel punishment created by gym teachers). I ran into my first problem early, around the part where they brought out the balls. I soon realized I did not have the skills to play the game at a competitive level. When I did not make it past the first cut I was puzzled since the only thing I struggled with was passing, shooting and dribbling the ball. Needless to say the coach played favorites and my dreams of playing in the NBA soon faded.

For those of us who have been cut from something we know that feeling of disappointment. We also know that probably the reason we were cut was because we weren't producing for the team and the coaching staff had no choice but to let us go. In all professional sports there is a long hard road to making the team and a short easy road from being let go by it.

When Jesus says "I am the true vine" and that all those branches who do not produce will be cut off, he is telling the believer that Christianity is not a spectators sport. That it is our responsibility to get in the game and contribute or be cut. In context, Jesus is clearly not referring to losing ones salvation, but he is talking to all of those who would call themselves players who have yet to enter the game. Just like I could not call myself a basketball player if I did not play; one cannot claim to be a follower of Christ if they do not serve. If you have been attending church for years, call yourself spiritual, sing the songs, attend the meetings and go through all the appropriate motions and rituals, Jesus is talking to you. Perhaps today is the day you get out of the bleachers and onto the court. Perhaps today is the day you become a player for Christ and make the cut.