Being Connected to the Right Power Source

Yesterday I was cleaning up my garden. In one spot I had planted morning glory flowers. I had not tried to grow these flowers for years but found some seed and tried them out. I find morning glory flowers attractive as they climb up their support and are arrayed with brilliant blue colours.

The only problem I have is that I didn’t get any burst of colour this year. Oh yes, the plants grew. They actually grew immensely tall with vines intertwining the mesh support, wound up tight.

The vines of the plant stretched out over and beyond the support. Yet, not one flower appeared. For whatever reason, what was in the soil promoted green growth but not flower growth. The soil did not contain sufficient and appropriate nutrients to help flowers grow and bloom.

In life that often happens to us. We draw from the wrong power source. We try to gain our strength from things that really aren’t good for us. We grow all kinds of vines that really aren’t beneficial. Worst of all, our lives don’t blossom in any fashion.

Jesus understands how difficult it is for us to flourish and grow in our sinful world. As He was nearing the end of His time with His disciples, He shared these words:

“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. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15: 5, 7 ESV)

For us to bear fruit in this life, we must be connected to Christ. How do we do that? This Scripture verse uses the word “abide”.

We are to take the time to know our Saviour – what He said and what He did. He provides the perfect example of how to handle any life situation.

Consider what Jesus taught while on earth, and the actions He did. Following His example shows us what we need to do. Jesus’ time here with us was filled with seeking and saving the lost. It included many times of prayer and of spending time in God’s Word.

Jesus’ example of obedience is another way to abide in Him. Jesus followed God’s direction, even when it meant a brutal death on the cross. God has provided us with guidance on how to live and has provided the Holy Spirit to help us do so.

It is especially important to consider how Jesus reacted to others. Jesus treated those He met with great compassion and love. No one was considered unworthy to Him. He associated with many that society would consider to be outcasts – lepers, tax collectors, prostitutes, and so on.

Jesus’ earthly life consistently showed His willingness to serve both God and His children. He lived a life of self-control – one that we can emulate. Jesus didn’t let the ways of the world sway Him.

For us to bear fruit, we must stay connected to the Vine. There we will draw the strength and fortitude needed to face whatever comes our way in this life. We need to do more than just believe what Jesus says – we need to embrace His Word and live it.