Staying Connected to the Source

by Gabe Bernal

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” (John 15:1, ESV)

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4, ESV)

Some of the most amazing things in my life have happened when I stop trying to make things happen, and I allow God to do the work.

I try to do the planting, the growing, the pruning, and the harvesting all on my own. And why shouldn’t I?! God has gifted me in many ways that I think I can do many of those things under my own strength. But then I wonder why things don’t work out the way I envisioned them.

So often I’ll spend so much time reading the Bible, going to church, and learning about God, but I fail to obey God. I won’t actually do the thing I should be doing. I fail to submit to what God is asking me to do. Then I wonder why my actions aren’t as fruitful as I anticipate.

Or maybe, in my own life, I don’t see the abundant life I long for. The work I do seems fruitless. I feel like I’m just treading water, hoping not to drown.

But that is because I’m not as obedient as I should be. And when I don’t obey as I should, I’m not connected to the vine. And when I’m not connected to the vine, I am disconnected from God.

The key to bearing fruit and abundant life is by abiding in Christ because that is the work of the vinedresser.

Without remaining in Christ and allowing God to do the work, it will be like trying to build a house without any tools. I am not equipped to do it on my own.

I don’t read the Bible or go to church because that is the source of life, I do those things so that I can remain connected to the source. I abide and obey not because that is what I’m supposed to do, I do them because that is how I will bear the most fruit, in myself and in others.

In Christ,

Gabe Bernal

For Reflection:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” (John 15:1, ESV)

1. How often do you try and do the work of the Holy Spirit under your own power?
2. How often do you depend on your own gifts and talents when discipling others?
3. What are some ways you can pause and connect to vine so that the vinedresser can do His work through you instead of you doing His work for Him?