SURRENDER YOUR INDEPENDENCE
“I am the true grapevine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of Mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 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 15:1-5 (NLT)
From the time we’re little kids, we strive for independence. Try to help a toddler too much, and they’ll tell you emphatically, I don’t need help! As we move into our teen years, the desire for independence grows. We can’t wait to show our parents that we’re fully grown and ready for the real world. Even as full-blown adults, we can be stubbornly independent. We’ll refuse help because it might make us look weak or less than. In truth, it’s a sad way to live.
When it comes to living as a disciple, nothing is sadder than trying to do that independently from Christ. That should seem obvious, but stop and think for a moment. How often do you try to operate independently of Jesus? You’ll want to accomplish certain things for Him, but you’re in no way connected to Him. Naturally, you grow frustrated—how could you not? But in truth, it’s like getting mad at a lamp for not providing light when it’s not plugged in. The lamp must be connected to a power source to function as it's designed. And so do you.
The final words in the passage above are a sobering reminder. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. It’s right there in black and white. So why do we continue to live the Christian life apart from Christ Himself? He is the vine; we are merely the branches.
Scottish poet and hymn writer Horatius Bonar said: Be much alone with God, and take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unburden yourself wholly—every thought, feeling, wish, plan, doubt—to Him... He wants not merely to be on good terms with you, but to be intimate.
What a beautiful picture of abiding in Him. Don’t delay—start today!
APPLICATION: What would it look like for you to be more connected to Christ? What’s preventing you from doing so? What needs to be stripped out of your life? What spiritual disciplines might you consider undertaking? Ask God to show you.
PRAYER: God help me to abide in You. Help me not to lag behind You in my laziness, but help me also not to spring ahead of You in my arrogance and desire for independence. Be with me and help me to find the joy of simply being with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?