Has your spiritual life dried up? Do you feel distant from God? Have you lost your hunger and thirst for spiritual things like the Bible, prayer and worship? Are you feeling increased levels of irritation, frustration and anger? Are people getting on your last nerve? Has fear and anxiety overtaken you? Has it been a while since you have spent time in prayer or attended a church service?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have probably been cut off from the Vine. Jesus made it simple and extremely clear when He said, “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. 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 15:4, 5)
In these words, we find the secret to a vibrant, fruit-producing spiritual life. It all comes down to staying connected to Jesus as a branch is to the tree trunk. He is the source of strength and power. If you are not connecting to Him daily and staying connected to Him throughout the day, your life will cease to produce the qualities of patience, kindness and love. You will lose your sense of His presence in your life along with your ability to forgive, rejoice when others succeed, and offer hope and encouragement to friends. Your attitude will struggle, and the circumstances of life will feel like a crushing burden.
Jesus has within Himself spiritual life. If we are to have that life in us, we must access it through Him. Only then can we experience the abundant life He came to give us. (John 10:10) It will not happen because we have a general belief that He exists. C.S. Lewis said, “If you want to get warm, you must stand near the fire; if you want to get wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, and eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them.” How do we do that?
Here are 3 simple strategies to abide or remain in the Vine:
1. Engage with the Bible every day.
I know many people don’t like to read the Bible because they feel like they don’t understand it. This is true when you first start, but as with anything else (think about when you first started riding a bike), you get better and better as you engage. All it takes is a small amount of time each day reading, memorizing a verse, and meditating throughout the day. Having God’s Word flow through your mind and heart keeps you connected to His Spirit and His voice all day. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) The primary way we stay connected to Jesus is through His written word.
2. Obey His Word.
In verse 10 Jesus says, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” Obeying Jesus catapults us into life with God. As we obey His will, we align our lives with His. We literally partner up with Him in what He is doing in this world! When Jesus sees you doing this, He draws close. Listen to how He explains it in John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Did you catch that? God will “show” Himself to those willing to follow and obey Him. The secret to intimacy with God is obedience to His will.
3. Spend time with the right people.
The people you surround yourself with are influencing you more than you think. One pastor said it this way, “Your friends determine the quality and direction of your life.” The truth is that we become like the people we spend the most time with because over time, we pick up their values, habits, language and ideas. For this reason, the Psalmist writes, “I am a friend to anyone who fears you–anyone who obeys your commandments.” (Psalm 119:63) If you choose to spend time with people who are intent on living with God, obeying Him, and staying connected to Him, you will be helping yourself to live a vibrant, fruit-producing spiritual life.
Put these three strategies into practice, and you will be sure to see your relationship with God revived. You will reconnect to the Vine. Let me know how it goes!
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