True Vine

Exhaustion, burn out, a general weariness with life and its pace seems to be a diagnosis of many in our world today. Where do you get your juice from? What is your life source? Where do you find refreshment in the middle of the daily race? Part of our problem is our lack of focus on the spiritual side of life. We spend the majority of time and energy, give most of our attention to the physical and material demands. Nothing in the physical and material world has the capacity to bring lasting renewal to our person. The promise of Isaiah is 'they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.' The spiritual side of life, which is really the foundation and heart of all of life, needs our attention. In John 15 Jesus paints a beautiful picture of the Christ centered life. He is the True Vine, the source for life and we have the privilege of being a branch. His invitation to us is , 'abide/remain in Me.' The eternal, Divine life flows from the True Vine into His branches. Christ's presence, His life in us is the source for renewal, refreshment and bearing fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, except exhaust ourselves chasing life. I must learn to practice His presence, to cultivate this fellowship. As I focus my heart upon Jesus Christ, I find the Source that is sufficient, consistent and generous. In Christ is Life (John 1:4).