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.” John 15:5 (ESV)

Whenever I think of vines, I think of two things. The first are these words spoken by Jesus. The second is a monkey swinging through the jungle on vines.

There is something that resonates in the way both the branch and the monkey relate to the vine. The branch steadfastly holds onto the source of its life come rain, snow, hail or high wind. The connection is intimate. That which is the vine runs through the branch. Without the vine, there is no fruit. But with the vine – now that’s another story! With the vine, the branch produces beautiful, succulent fruit that brings joy to all and glory to the vine.

While the branch holds steadfastly to the vine, the monkey swings through the jungle grabbing the vine only as a means to propel himself from place to place.  He grabs hold of the vine momentarily to prevent a devastating fall to the floor of the jungle. As he holds onto the vine, he is lifted high. Soon he lets go and is on his way until the next time he feels himself begin to fall. Then he grabs the vine and the cycle begins again.

Far too often, especially lately, I relate to Jesus far more like the monkey than the branch in Jesus’ teaching. I have been letting the urgencies of life, mostly work, pull me away from the vine. I strive and push and do and produce, but I wonder what I am really producing. Apart from the vine, Jesus, it cannot be fruit for him and his kingdom.

Today holds the same urgencies and temptations to do things on my own apart from the vine. I pray that I will hold tight to the vine, to Jesus today and every day.

Prayer

Father God, I confess that I often respond to urgencies in a way that pushes you to the sidelines. Forgive me for this sin against you. Draw me to you today that I might grow more deeply in relationship with you and that I might bear fruit which brings you glory. In Jesus’ matchless name.  Amen.

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Sharing our journeys
Do you feel more like the branch or the monkey?
What are the greatest challenges you experience in keeping your relationship with Jesus growing?
What ways have you found to keep your relationship with Jesus growing?

As I continued my flight home that December day, God continued working in my heart. His work began with the connection to a baby bundled in a white snowsuit in Target on a lonely day far from home. He used Ann’s words to help me see the difference between acknowledging his blessings with my mind and receiving them with my heart as gifts from his loving hand. I was able to glimpse his goodness, something I for some reason often fail to consciously experience in my own life.

Then he undid me. He brought to mind that little baby in the manager. Baby Jesus. The connection with the baby in Target when I was lonely was joyful and precious, but it was nothing compared to my connection with Baby Jesus. The greatest evidence of his goodness to me and to you. Jesus. Baby in a manger. Savior on a cross. The greatest gift of all.

I love how God doesn’t let go of us. Just to be sure I didn’t forget that moment on the plane when he used the thread of tiny babies to melt my heart with his goodness, he did it once more. This time he used a live nativity scene just before Christmas.

It was beautiful. The church acted out the story of Jesus’ birth on a cold evening complete with a live baby playing Baby Jesus. When I saw that little baby in the manger, I melted once again. It was as if God put an exclamation point on this part of his work in my heart. That little baby in the manger was wearing a little white snow suit very similar to the one that baby in Target was wearing when God started this thread of work in my heart. He came full circle and connected his goodness to the baby interaction when I was lonely and his gift of Baby Jesus.

Yes, God is indeed good.

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Baby Steps Part 1
Baby Steps Part 2

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Continuing to count his blessings: #481 – #492

Courage to begin facing fears
Scripture’s comfort while waiting in doctor’s office
Access to good medical practitioners
Friends’ prayer coverage
Friends’ care and concern
Friend’s support and coaxing me to face fears
Good outcome from medical check when it could have so easily have been serious
Street lights reflected on wet roads
Strength to begin working out again this morning
Photo adventure on Saturday to marvel at God’s beautiful creation
Return of a few goldfinches to the feeders – spring IS coming after more wintery weather than normal
Comforting house noises – clothes dryer, ceiling fan

The fourth commandment was not given just because I need rest as a self-centered being. It was given that I might please God as a rested being: ‘It is a Sabbath unto the LORD.’ (Exodus 20:10)…Divine pleasure, not human need is the greatest reason for observing the Sabbath.”*

Yes, I know I must please God more when I am rested. When I am rested, I am much more likely to spend time with my Abba Father, to be able to resist temptation through the leading of the Holy Spirt, to be loving and patient with his children, and to have a grateful heart. I know that when I keep a Sabbath, I am more able to reflect the image of the one who created me.

Lord, I feel I am wired for productivity, getting things done, and staying busy, but I know I am made in your image. Help me receive your gift of a Sabbath today.

* James L. Anderson in his book “For God’s Sake Rest!“, 2007, pages 50, 53.