The Life Of The Vine

The fruit of the vine must not remain forever on the vine

It must be crushed and trampled to make refreshing wine.

The olive on the branch is plucked and in the vise is pressed

To make the oil of gladness it must become distressed.

The seed of nard is gathered and crushed to release

Its fragrance to be sensed my men it's former life must cease

The grain is harvested and ground in mills for wheat

To make a pure and sifted flour to bake good bread to eat.

The fig must in its season be pruned and cut away

Else it will never bear good fruit or see its fruit displayed

The tree must be cut down to make a cross of wood

Else all the world would die like it- it's death would do us good.

For living we die and dying we live

All that is given is for us to give

Buried we're raised up if we only believe

Because of the life of the vine

For in dying we live and in living we die

Upon that cross with the one crucified

Present ourselves a living sacrifice

Because of the life of the vine

This is life's purpose the reason God gave

We're born to be used up so others are saved

We can nurture each other because He forgave

Part of the chain of life divine

This mysterious life on the vine.

Anthony Foster February 2, 2003