Filled and recharged

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5, 8)

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I find the struggles with the things that once plagued me don't seem to anymore. Why is that? Could it be that there is some truth to this 'remaining in me' thing? Those who 'remain in me' are assured that Christ will remain IN THEM. The things that gave us such heartache and anxiety earlier in life 'apart from Jesus' don't stand a chance when we are living 'in him' and 'he in us'.

Apart from Christ suggests that a connection must be maintained. Once attained, it must be maintained. I have a vehicle - maintenance required. I can go sit in it day after day, expecting it to take me places I need to go, but if that maintenance isn't done, the drive won't be without issues. Tires need inflation, gas tank needs filled, oil needs changing, and wiper blades need to be renewed each season. Tip top running condition requires work, doesn't it?

In much the same way, our relationship with Christ must not only be 'attained', but it must be 'maintained' on an ongoing basis. If not, it would be like having a car, going out daily to sit in it, but never taking it for a drive because the battery is dead and the gas tank is empty. We need the renewal and 'regeneration' that takes place when we spend time in his Word and in just sitting in his presence a while to listen to what he is telling us. The 'tank' must be filled, and the 'battery' must be recharged!

Fruit isn't automatic. It is because of the 'connection' that is maintained. The maintenance of a vineyard or orchard is significant. The pruning process alone can take days, even weeks. The advantage to the process is huge, though. Without the pruning, the fruit produced is significantly less and of a lesser quality. After the pruning process is complete, the fruit is lush, with a better 'flavor'. The time we spend allowing Jesus to 'prune' us through is Word and by listening to what he tells us as we just abide with him in his presence isn't 'magical', but the results may be! Just sayin!