Word for Word 6/7/17

John 15:5 - I am the vine, you are the branches.

This is an “oldie,” but one of my favorites!

Did you know that the old phrase “cool as a cucumber’’ is actually true! It has been proven that the interior temperature of a cucumber is usually 10 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. Even if the cucumber is in direct sunlight on a hot, dry day in the middle of summer - the interior still remains much cooler than the exterior temperature. But the cucumber remains cool and moist only as long as that cucumber remains attached to the vine. If you dis-attach the cucumber it will become as hot as the outside temperature and soon begin to spoil and rot.

The meaning to this parable is two fold:

1) We too can remain “cool as a cucumber” in the face of pain or illness, suffering or sorrow, disappointment or despair! The marvelous gift of endurance is given to us when we are faced with a difficult time in our lives. We recognize the presence of God with us as we endure hard times.
2) But we can be “cool as a cucumber” only when we remain attached to the vine that provides for our needs, the vine of Christ, the vine of our Christian faith. If we separate from our source and sustenance, our faith in Jesus Christ, we will not be able to face the troubles of this world. If we dis-attach ourselves from the church, we too will begin to rot and decay away.

Have you “lost your cool” lately? Have you gotten angry beyond reason? Are the pains and illnesses and sufferings of this life getting you down? Maybe what you need to do is to “re-attach yourself to the vine of faith”! For in Christ and in our Christian faith, we can remain “cool as a cucumber!” Make plans to come to church and “cool off’’ on these Sundays of summer!

Rev. Lynn G. Groe
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Waukon