^“Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.“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. If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:4-7 (NIV)

Dear Vine,

We have seen grapes growing on the vine. We understand the concept and want our lives to be fruitful just like that. To abide in You, is to rest in You: Your presence, Your Word, Your life through us. Just as the grapes receive life-giving food through the vine, so we receive all we need through Your life-giving, fruit-producing-grace. Branches don’t fret or struggle to receive this gift; or worry that they won’t produce—they just do! They are branches in the vine, living like branches! Life as a connected branch makes grapes possible. Let us be the branch, not struggling to be with You but realizing that we are!

You didn’t ransom our soul and make us Your child, just to send us off by ourselves to live life. You gave us a permanent, every-moment-relationship, rooted in the true love for which You gave Your life’s blood. Now, Your life is in us.! We are so connected to You that nothing can separate us from You. Thank you that we don’t need to have stress trying to figure out how to serve You, connect with You, let You know we love You—abiding in You says all that and more! Thank you that we need not struggle to do things for You, but always, always with You, just the way You like it—together. Let today, and whatever it may hold, be lived while resting in You and with You. You really did save us to be with us—always. We are not a nothing but really something—a child of the Living God.

In Jesus Name Forever

Photo credit: Lukas H, https://unsplash.com/photos/bHi7QjP5S1g