Devotional‍

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already, you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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 anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this, my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - John 15:1-11

Life is often full of good things. I think of my wonderful family and the joy of watching our children grow. I think of the students and staff I get to walk alongside at Coram Deo Academy, and the community God has placed around me at Coram Deo Church. These are gifts and privileges I am grateful for. 

We can fill every minute with good work yet still feel spiritually dry or weary. There is a subtle trap in thinking that good activity for God must mean good fruit from God.

Fruit comes when my effort flows from a heart anchored in him.

During our five-year journey toward adopting our first son, I learned this in a real way. We prayed, waited, and even restarted the adoption process when our agency shut down during COVID. There were nights when I felt powerless. I was doing everything I knew to do, yet inside I was running on empty. Yet God was quietly teaching me something important: My efforts matter, but they cannot produce spiritual fruit on their own. My effort isn’t the source of fruit. Christ is. Fruit comes when my effort flows from a heart anchored in him. Waiting revealed that.

Jesus calls himself the true vine. He is the living source of all spiritual life.

In John 15, Jesus cuts through the noise with gentle clarity. What matters most is not the fruit you produce. What matters is the vine to which you are united. Jesus calls himself the true vine. He is the living source of all spiritual life. His words are the life that flows through the branches. When we behold Christ as the vine, we see that fruitfulness does not depend on our strength or skill. It depends on him. Because Christ is risen, the vine is alive, and his resurrection life flows into weak and weary branches like you and me.

Jesus says, “Abide in me and I in you” (John 15:4a). His abiding comes first. Ours is open-handed dependence on the vine himself. When we adopted our second son, we found ourselves in Texas with offices closing for the Fourth of July and paperwork delays. I remember sitting in the living room, somewhere between freaking out and full panic mode. In those moments, Christ was inviting me to abide. Not by my fixing or controlling, but by clinging to him as my peace.

Abiding looks like daily closeness. Leaning on Christ.

Abiding looks like daily closeness. Leaning on Christ. Pouring out our hearts. Treasuring his Word until it shapes our desires and our prayers. When we behold his Word rather than just hear it, we begin to ask for what he loves to give.

Pruning is part of this abiding. It is not punishment. It is the loving work of the Father. Both adoption journeys were pruning seasons, yet they produced trust, patience, and joy I could not have imagined.

Jesus tells us these things so that his joy may be in us and that our joy may be full (John 15:11). What might abiding look like in your life? Maybe it’s enjoying God’s Word with great expectations from God. Maybe it's surrendering something to God that you’ve been trying to carry alone. Or maybe it's trusting him with the place in which you are feeling stretched or pruned. The vine is alive, so draw near, rest in his love, and let his life bear fruit in you.

Liturgy

Father in Heaven,

We thank you for the gift of your Son, our risen Savior,
the True Vine who gives life to his people.

Teach us to slow down, to quiet our hearts,
and to behold Christ with honesty and joy.
Help us to rest in his love and to
depend on him in every season of life.

Jesus, let your words take root in us.
Shape our desires, guide our prayers,
and help us to obey you with willing hearts.
Make our homes places where your presence
is felt, and your life is seen.

Prune us with tenderness.
Remove what keeps us from Christ and grow in us
the fruit of love, peace, patience, and joy.
Strengthen us in trials and remind us that
pruning is your loving work.
May our family abide in Christ today and always,
and may his joy be full in us.

Amen