“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Bernard of Clairveax was a monk who lived in the early twelfth century. In his book On Loving God he talks about someone who is so enwrapped in God’s love that they become transformed by it.

He provides three illustrations to help us better understand what he’s talking about:

“Think of a drop of water poured into wine—it blends so completely that it takes on the wine’s colour and flavour. Or consider iron heated in fire until it glows—it seems to become fire itself, forgetting its original nature. Even the air, filled with sunlight, appears not just illuminated but as light itself. In the same way, those who are filled with God’s love lose their human desires as they are transformed by His will.”*

Those are helpful illustrations. When we are totally surrounded by something it can change us.

For example, when we are totally surrounded by supportive friends, we feel less alone and more encouraged. It changes us so much that it inspires us to share our friendship in a similar way with others. 

Or when we are totally surrounded by the wise instruction of a trusted mentor, we feel more confident in facing difficult tasks. It changes us so much that it inspires us and motivates us to to share what we’ve learned with others.

God’s love is like this. It has a transforming power. There are times when we sense God’s love. There are other times when we don’t sense it, but we still know it’s there because we trust the Scriptures.

Regardless of how we do or don’t feel, we surround ourselves in God’s love by drawing near through Christ. We learn about him. We follow him. We talk to God. We read his Word. We worship with others. We share in The Lord’s Supper. We serve his people.

When you soak yourself in the things of God, things of lesser importance start to fade in importance, and we become increasingly transformed by his grace.

“Think of a drop of water poured into wine—it blends so completely that it takes on the wine’s colour and flavour.” Brothers and sisters, draw close to Christ, trust, receive, be changed, and bless.

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Notes:

-*Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, trans. Catherine Rose (2025), 31.
-Bible quotes are from the NIV.