In John 15, Jesus tells us this:
“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” (v5).
He couldn’t be more clear.
First, he establishes that we were created as branches of him, therefore sustained in him alone. For how would a branch be expected to stay alive, let alone bear fruit, if it is cut from it’s vine? Neither are we expected to find wholeness apart from God, apart from our life source.
He then explains that when we abide in him, as he faithfully does in us, he doesn’t just keep us alive but enables us to bear fruit. Not only does he offer us life – he offers us a life that is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
In less than two months I will be with my team beginning our mission. My prayer is that this wisdom and obedience of remaining in Christ would be at the center of our hearts as we begin to introduce this offer of life to those who do not yet know that this kind of wholeness is possible and found in Christ.
For those of us that have ever heard the Gospel: We have been offered “life that is truly life” & truly joy – yet often we don’t see the privilege in this. Today there are neglected children in South Africa, struggling Mothers in Guatemala, enslaved and trafficked children in Cambodia and Thailand, – human beings made to be extensions of God – that are waking up each day without the wholeness & love & hope & joy & peace that they were made to have when in unity with Christ because no one has told them what they’ve been offered.
Honestly, the idea of leaving soon is becoming more real and it’s all too easy to let myself become overwhelmed – but the Lord is kind and faithful in reminding me why we’re going and all the ways in which we will be able to partner with him in his work and I couldn’t feel more blessed.
Prayers for peace, safety, and steadfastness.
