Healthy things grow! As we focus on building connection, with each other and with God, it is crucial that we remain attached to the true vine – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. “For apart from me you can do nothing,” Jesus says to his disciples here in John’s Gospel. What does it mean and what does it look like for you to remain in Jesus?
Let’s first focus on what it means to grow in connection with God. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” As we grow in our connection with God, that looks like spending time with him – “remain in me.” How do you spend time with God? Do you have a daily and weekly rhythm? How do his words remain in you? Is there Scripture you enjoy reading and rereading?
One of the ways I enjoy just being with God and in his word is through worship music. Often, there will be direct quotes from Scripture that will run through my mind because I heard them in a song. Daily devotions or Bible reading plans are also helpful tools as we learn to simply be in the word. As you dive into these devotions, I encourage you to sit with the Scripture verses for a little bit of time. Maybe read them a couple times per day and ask God, “Lord, what do you have for me in this today?”
Then, as we grow in connection with others, Jesus tells his disciples, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.” By first remaining in Him, we then bear fruit. Remember, healthy things grow! We begin to bear fruit as people attached to the vine.
Think fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are things that help us grow in connection with others. Imagine if each day in every conversation you could offer more of this fruit than the day before! Imagine the compounding impact in your life when you take small steps daily to remain in the vine! God has great things for you – remain in him.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, that you are the vine! Thank you that I simply get to be with you. Help me to bear good fruit and stay connected to you all the time. Show me the moments where I leave the vine, unintentionally, and decide I am in control. I confess there are times I try to bear my own fruit. Forgive me and bring me back to you so I may produce more and more good fruit every day. Amen.