John 15:5, NIV
“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.”
I recently was listening to teaching based on today’s verse, and they used an analogy that has really stuck with me. They said remaining in the vine is like being like a baby in its mother’s womb, connected by an umbilical cord. The baby receives everything it needs for life from its mother, through the umbilical cord.
If we think about this analogy, of course, it’s not perfect, because the baby one day will grow to the point of delivery, and will no longer be connected to its mother, whereas we need to stay connected forever to the vine that is Jesus. But, during the time in the womb, the baby doesn’t choose what it will receive through the umbilical cord. It just receives everything that comes. When we remain connected to Jesus, He sends the Holy Spirit to flow through us and give us everything that we need for life. We shouldn’t say, I’ll receive this part, but not that part. If we try to keep some of what He gives us, and leave other things, then we’ll become disconnected from the vine.
Not one of us will be perfect, but, as we grow in the Lord, we’ll learn more and more how to be connected to the vine. It’s a place of rest and trust. It’s a place of fruitfulness. It’s a safe place.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn how to remain in You in that place of rest and trust like a baby in its mother’s womb. Forgive me for times when I have not wanted to receive everything that You have for me, or when I haven’t trusted that You have everything I need. I want to receive everything You have for me. Amen.
