“Following Jesus simply means learning from him how to arrange my life around activities that enable me to live in the fruit of the Spirit” – John Ortberg

 My wife is an amateur gardener. She loves plants and flowers. She loves how they smell and how they look. Sometimes, I have to tear her away from the gardening section at Wal-Mart before we spend more money on plants then we do on groceries.

Every once in a while, I will sit and watch her as she fills a pitcher full of water, walks to the plant on our balcony, and slowly pours the water over the soil in the pot. I’ll watch as she carefully examines the plant, picking up a branch and looking over it, rubbing the leaves between her fingers, pulling out and pruning what is unnecessary.

If it wasn’t for Annie’s watering, the plant would wither and die. Without Annie’s pruning of the plant, it would choke and die. The plant needs Annie in order to thrive and survive.

Just as Annie is for her plants, Jesus is for us.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples,” (John 15:5-8).

Jesus is our lifeline. When we are attached to Him we find our life. Apart from Jesus we are nothing and can do nothing. Remaining Him produces good fruit that glorifies God. With Him we are able to do more then we can possibly imagine and our fruit helps build His Kingdom.

If you don’t already know Jesus, I encourage you to believe in Him because he is alive, real, and working, He wants a relationship with you and He wants to use you. Accept Him as your savior and ask him to forgive your sins. Continue to learn more about Him in Scripture and grow in Him.

If you already know Jesus, just like a plant, continue to grow with Christ as your gardener. Allow him to prune off that which he finds unholy or unnecessary. Let him water you with His Spirit. Let him plant you where he wants you.

Jesus is the vine. We are the branches.

Let us produce good fruit.

Parents: Go buy a plant and let your children help you take care of it. Explain to them that just as you are taking care of the plant, Jesus takes care of your family.