The Vine

It is simply through the existence of the Vine that the branch is sustained.

Heyy, how y’all doing…it’s been too long. Although I can’t give a formal “I’m back,” I do hope I’m here to stay for a while.

It’s been almost a year since my last newsletter, and the truth is, I got tired of sharing. Forcing myself to sit down and write every week started to feel like a burden, especially during a season where I was just over it. I felt like I was pouring from an empty cup, and that’s never the feeling I want to have when sharing in this space. So I paused.

I honestly didn’t realize so much time had passed; this year has somewhere to be, don’t it! But today, I’m glad to be writing to you. I feel peaceful. I feel motivated. My mind is clearer than it was at the start of the year, and my spirit is lighter. There’s a lot I want to share about what’s happened since my last letter, but we can unpack that over time.

This morning, while journaling, I was led to John 15:5.

5“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.”

I looked out my window at a tree I’ve watched grow for the last five years. Since winter is coming, its leaves are almost gone. Under it, there’s a large vine growing on a gate. The vine has woven its way in and out of the fence’s openings. It’s climbed its way up the fence to the top, where its branches can finally grow freely.

And I just sat there like, wow.

The vine did all that work so that the branches could freely rise and flourish. My mind instantly fixed on the character of God, how dependable, stable, and steady He is. His faithfulness, His being, His consistency are what allow us to experience abundance. He is the vine: rooted, life-giving, the source of our fruitfulness.

As I look back over my life, I can honestly say that the moments where I experienced the most fruit, the most fulfillment, the most ease, were not of my own doing. Those seasons were effortlessly aligned and graceful. I can clearly recognize God’s hand in them. His gentle nudge guided me in the direction he willed me to go.

I’m learning to find comfort in the things that don’t happen by my own doing. Those feel the most natural and life-shifting. It’s when I start meddling, trying to force things, overworking to make things happen it typically doesn’t work out. The work becomes fruitless. But when God leads, even in the moments of setback, disappointment, or loss…there is always something gained.

That’s the power of the vine.
And it reminds me of my limitations as a branch.

Jesus says, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

If there’s anything I want you to take from this letter, it’s this: Jesus is the source. Our sustainer. Our answer to a fruitful life.

Keep Him at the center.
Abide in His truth.
Accept your limitations and embrace His power.

It is simply through the existence of the Vine that the branch is sustained.
Sit in that truth.

~

Until next time, friends!

Keep pressing on, knowing that the One who calls us is faithful to see us through every step of the way