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Apart or Connected?

Scripture: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:4

I'm often drawn to Chapter 15 in the Gospel of John. It's rich and challenging and there are many heart lessons to glean from the vine, branch, and fruit metaphor. Here's one for me.

Moment by moment, day by day, we can live apart from the vine or we can live connected to the vine. Apart means I've separated my self from the Spirit of Jesus, and the result isn't pretty. I'm self-preoccupied, self-concerned, self-centered - my ego is in control, as it so wants to be - and my mind is absorbed by achieving, controlling, and judging.

Living apart is an illusion. We don't really live separate from God or from those we're closest to or from our neighbor. Emmanuel! But our ego can convince us it's so.

The good news comes through worship or prayer or suffering or all three, and we realize the truth that we're not really separate after all. I'm part of a whole and that whole includes God, me, and everyone else. I'm part of a community. I'm part of a church. I'm part of a family. I live in connection, and that means I live (a little closer) to a life in love. 

And a life in love bears fruit. Loving folks that are different becomes easier. Being in fear and anxiety happens less often. Responding first with forgiveness is natural. God's presence becomes more real. Perhaps you can fill in how love bears fruit for you when you're living connected to the vine - a beautiful thing.

Prayer: I'm thankful for the presence of the Spirit of Jesus and the wonderful fruit that comes from connection. Amen.

Ward Simonton
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