I am the Vine

Something Jesus said has been playing in my brain for weeks, looping over and over as if He recorded it on audio Himself:

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NASB).

This picture speaks volumes to me—Jesus as the ever-strong vine and me hanging on for dear life. The more I grow in Christ, the more I realize how utterly desperately I need Him. He is my life. He is my peace. He is my joy. He is my all.

As a fiction writer, I’ve learned He’s also my creativity. I had a deadline a couple of weeks ago to turn in edits for my manuscript, but I’d gotten stuck on the last chapter. I was supposed to rewrite it, but nothing was coming to me no matter how much I prayed. I received a one-week extension and said, “Okay God, clearly I can’t do this without You. If You don’t lead me, it won’t get written.” Two days later, words to the ending began to flow. I think God delights in confirming that truth: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”

But there’s another truth in that verse. When we’re abiding in Jesus, we bear much fruit. No matter what our personalities and moods are naturally, abiding in Christ means the fruit of the Spirit will be displayed in and through us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We’ll also bear fruit by doing good works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Abiding in Jesus means we’re so connected to the Source that He is able to use us to accomplish His will in the earth, to His glory, honor, and praise.

Apart from Him we can do nothing. But what’s the flip side? With Him, all things are possible. Through Him, we can do all things!

Jesus, help me to abide always in You, to dwell richly with You. It is my heart’s desire to bear much fruit for the Kingdom. Be glorified in me. Amen.