Vine that ate the South

‘The vine that ate the South’ is the phrase used to describe kudzu. It has smothered many acres of forestland, houses and power lines. It grows over a foot a day; therefore, the phrase ‘a mile a minute’. The vine can grow up to 100 feet long. It’s weight can be up to 300 pounds which bring down power lines and collapse buildings. Kudzu relies on a support structure to grow and reach light. 

Kudzu blooms

Did you know kudzu blooms? It has beautiful purple blooms in August that are very fragrant. The blooms can be gathered and made into jelly. The jelly is a beautiful violet color and tastes very much like grape jelly. The leaves are nutritious and some people fry them like chips. The root is used as a thickening agent instead of flour in some countries. The vines are woven into beautiful baskets by basket weavers. 

Lessons from Kudzu

Kudzu vines have been detrimental to the South, but have good qualities. So what does that have to do with a Christian or lessons in scripture?

In Matthew 7:15, NKJV,“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Kudzu was brought to this country for good intent, but has proven to be bad. In our churches and circle of friends, there are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They act like a Christian and have good qualities. They serve in many capacities in the church and community, good people, but they are not a friend of God. We must beware of false prophets because they can lead us astray in our walk with God.

John 15:5, NKJV, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Kudzu Vines

The kudzu vine is independent. It relies on itself for all its needs. As a Christian, we must depend on Christ to supply our needs and direct our paths. We cannot bear Godly fruit with eternal benefits without obedience and depending on Him. Jesus plainly states that we are the branches that are dependent on Him. Sure we can do worldly things in our day without ever consulting Jesus’ direction, but they are considered hay and stubble that will burn and amount to nothing. Even the unsaved can do good things, but they amount to nothing in eternity without Christ.

I John 1:5-7, NKJV, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Blocking out the light

Kudzu vines climb on anything to get to the top for the sunlight. Their large leaves spread out and block the sunlight to the trees and bushes. Without light, the trees and bushes will die. If we are not careful, the wolves among us will block the light of Christ from our lives and we will not have fellowship with Him. We will begin to ignore His direction, have negative thoughts, words and deeds. Instead of worshiping with the body of Christ, a person overshadowed by darkness will be negative and complaining. Life will be unfruitful and without joy and peace.

Colossians 1:13, NKJV, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness.”

Jesus is the Light

Jesus is the Light and He is the vine which we as Christians are attached. Consider your life and your thoughts. Are you being shaded and your Light dim in your life? Are you being influenced by negativity from friends and acquaintances? Jesus has delivered us from the power that darkness holds. It is very hard to make changes among friends or perhaps people we associate with in church, but if they are blocking your light then perhaps it is time to be delivered from the darkness.

 

Paula Wallace

For additional reading

The Greedy Prophet and His Donkey!

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2016/05/12/the-greedy-prophet-and-his-donkey/