“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.” John 15:5

This is a powerful verse. Apart from God we can do nothing. Separate from Him, we are not fruitful, we are dead. What a strong statement Jesus made…

It’s scary even.

Although, I don’t think Jesus meant to say this to frighten us, but to reveal the truth about our nature. We are meant to abide. Like any plant, to find our life in something outside of itself.

I have a garden in my backyard. I see my baby lemon tree, newly planted, with his roots buried deep into the earth. I see my sweet, smelling lavender bush, with her face basking in the sun. I see my crape myrtle tree swaying as she is absorbing the water from the sprinklers. They all need life-giving substances to survive… or they too would die.

It’s scary and beautiful.

Plants reflect to us our own nature. We need God, like water, or food. We need Him more than anything if we want to live.

I thank God that I can’t. God knows, I can’t. I can’t. I just can’t. But Jesus can, and if I abide, then He helps me can too.

When I can’t, I seek.
When I seek, I reach.
When I reach, He’s there.
And I breathe.

I love that abide rhymes with hide. It’s the same definition I think. We hide into God when we abide in Him.

I just hope I always remember when I see myself withering that I should not seek inward, but outward. I hope I always remember life is found in God alone and not in myself. I hope that I always remember when I’m scared to hide in Him and not hide from Him.

I hope I always remember when I can’t… He can… and it’s beautiful.

He is life and I am the fruit of His love.

Today, God gave me a poem. A very little one. It’s for me. It’s for you. It’s for us, to remember to abide.

If I’m the roots and you are the tree
I am the life in what they see
Grow up strong, grow up free
But never forget to abide in Me

God bless you, dearest one.

Till the next chapter,
Katya