“Okay, Lord, I’ve got this. Thank you so much for helping me over that rough spot. I can handle things now.”

Sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it… or does it? I’m afraid that when I stop to examine my life as a disciple of Jesus, more often than not I act like I believe the statement above. I am quick and ready to turn to Him when things are hard and I don’t know how to handle them. When life seems out of control, I am glad to abide in Him and let Him take care of it. But as soon as smooth sailing comes again, I seem to want to detach my branch from the life-giving vine… and go it and grow it on my own.

What does our Lord say in this passage, though? In John 15:5, he states: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Nothing? Nothing! Like most Christians, I long to be fruitful and honor my Lord, but He makes it crystal clear that each time I detach myself and don’t abide in Him, I am no different than a dead branch, pruned from a tree and hauled off to the recycle center because it is no longer abiding. Its fruit bearing is done.

Are you staying attached to the vine, even when you don’t think you need to?

Oh, Lord, may I never again tell you, “I’ve got this!” Help me, in times of distress and in times of rest, always to stay connected to you, my source of life and nourishment and fruit. Amen.

Go Deeper — This week, read through John 15 several times. Journal what you learn about abiding and bearing fruit. Then ask God to help you stay connected to Him every moment of every day!

Read Further — Do you feel as if you got this faith thing down and can take it from here? Follow Like You Mean It



Tags: Grow John 15
Photo Credit: Paul Rysz