Gardening 101
I’m the son of an electrician. So I should know a thing or two about lights. The truth is, I know very little!However, what’s the purpose of a light? To shine, right? And how does a lamp work? Just plug it in and keep it plugged in. If you plug it in, the lamp works great. But if you unplug it, it doesn’t work right.This is a lot like our relationship with Jesus.If we stay connected to Him it just works. What? —our life.
If we stay connected to Him it just works. What? —our life.
Connected to Him, joy and peace fill our lives. Unplugged, we’re restless—it’s all about us.Connected to Him, we find self-control with our addictions. Unplugged, we’re powerless, prone to temptation.Jesus didn’t talk a lot about electricity #ancienttimes #BCprobs but something he did talk about were vines, and branches, and a gardener.In John chapter 15, Jesus is talking with his disciples after the Last Supper. These are some of Jesus’ last words before he goes to the cross, so it’s probably fairly important stuff. Here is what he says:"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener… 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… When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”These are some of Jesus’ last words and he’s talking about growing and producing fruit? Huh?He’s trying to explain something to us. What? That just like a lamp left unplugged won’t turn on, so too will a branch wither and not produce fruit if unconnected to the vine.Jesus is sharing this picture to help us understand something. He’s saying, I am the vine, and you are the branches. And God the father? —he’s the gardener.The purpose of a vine is to grow and produce fruit, right? That’s why they exist. That’s why they grow.So my question today is: am I growing? Am I growing as a person, but more importantly, am I growing in my love for Jesus?
So my question today is: am I growing? Am I growing as a person, but more importantly, am I growing in my love for Jesus?
Am I a branch connected to the vine, or am I withering? Am I plugged in and shining a light, or am I unplugged and dim?I would encourage you to ask the same questions.When we remain and stay connected to Jesus—the vine—we will begin to grow, and fruit will show up. Our hearts, our lives, will begin to look more like His. We’ll come alive from the inside out.Why? Because we were created to be more like Him!To reflect Jesus to others.To shine God’s light.To love others like He loves us.As human beings, this is our purpose, it’s why we exist. Not just as Christians, but as human beings.
As human beings, this is our purpose, it’s why we exist. Not just as Christians, but as human beings.
It’s not about changing ourselves—that’s like a lamp trying to shine without power.It’s not about trying to be a better person—that’s like a branch trying to grow fruit disconnected from the vine.Instead it’s just about remaining, and staying connected to God. As He does the work. As He produces the fruit. It will be His love, His joy, His peace that begin to show up in our lives.I’m no gardener, but I know that connected to the vine a branch can’t help but produce fruit. Connected to Jesus, plugged in to Him, we can’t help but grow.This son of an electrician, this branch of the Father’s vine, knows that for sure.