I grew up in Upstate New York in a small town called Corfu. From a young age, I remember having grapevines that allowed me to forge through many meals and stay outside even longer as I would just eat grapes from the vine or pick apples from a tree. There were seasons when you would eat from sun up to sun down and seasons where you would have to do some searching. I know I ate a lot healthier than too. (That’s another story) What a great feeling and comfort to know that we have Jesus as our living vine?
Today’s verse is John 15:5
I am the true 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.
Branches cannot bear fruit independent of the vine. There would be many times I went out to pick grapes and they were just lying on the ground. My study bible reminds me of the importance of our lives and staying connected to God. Personally, I have had seasons of fruit-bearing. I have also had seasons where the fruit has been non-existent and I was just holding on for life. In any of these seasons or cases, the important part for us all is being connected. These days came through selfish worldly desires. Opportunities to bear fruit is praise to His glory and His kingdom. There is also praise to being simply connected to His vine. This connectedness lies in our faith. Do we believe in Jesus? His life, death, and resurrection? I imagine if you are taking the time to read this right now you are connected to His Vine. So I ask, what season are you in? Are you bearing much fruit? Maybe a bare branch? Either scenario is right where God has planned. Let’s just avoid any pruning that can happen when we don’t stay connected. Let’s pray and reflect on our source of life and the soil we are planted in.
A couple of additional verses that spoke to me on reflecting on Jesus as our vine were in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 where God reminds us about the meaning of life. How there is a season for everything. That in each season of life, whatever purpose God intends is the purpose we must live out. In addition, wherever you are today, stay connected. Psalm 1:3 says
That a person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.
Dear Father, You are our living Vine. Keep us close. Lord, help us in our day-to-day lives to not feel like we can detach and still stay connected. Help us to Seek you only and abandon our own selfish ways. Thank you for whatever season we are in. We love you! Amen