Be the Branch of His Vine

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener"

John 15:1

As many would know the upkeep of a garden can be lengthy. But the reward is generally, if not always, worth it. This chapter of John brings you into the garden of your life and the opportunity to be connected to something so much greater than yourself. On your own you cannot bear fruit. But connected to the vine, you have the opportunity to bear fruit for years to come and in plenty. This vine that is talked about in this chapter is Him. As He shares in John 15:1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. You learn through this statement that He is the sturdy foundation in which you as a branch can grow from and be fed through. You also learn that the upkeep of the garden is being done by the one who created it all. The passion that the Father must have in creating this garden and continuing to prune it and manicure it over and over again. The tenderness of care that goes into the upkeep of this garden that is you. As many would say the upkeep of a garden can be lengthy and you see here that God chooses to do that with you. This hopefully speaks to the relationship that He desires to have with you.

Depression and anxiety may mimic the feeling that the branch is dead. The symptoms and experiences of depression and anxiety may fool you into believing that your branch is on the verge of withering away, falling from the vine, and being tosses aside. John 15:6 reads: 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. But this is not without the attempts of the gardener to prune the branches that are not fruitful (John 15:2). Pruning does not mean to cut away and discard the whole, it means to cut away and discard the parts that are keeping the branch from being fruitful. Depression and anxiety may be keeping the branch from being fruitful, keeping you from being fruitful, this does not mean that the branch becomes dead and is tossed into the fire. It means that the gardener is called to come and prune the branch to save it. The gardener is only going to prune those that are connected to the "true vine" (John 15:1). Depression and anxiety may mimic the image of a dead branch, it may suck the color from the outside and show a dying branch. Depression and anxiety may mimic the withering of a branch. But has there not been a time that a branch has appeared dead, and when pruned the life and green of the core becomes visible and is able to be saved? This is the work of the gardener. This is the work of Him in you, for you.

Depression and anxiety although challenging, only show the dormant of the branch while the gardener comes to care for them. It is only when the branch becomes separated completely from the vine that it dies and is tossed away. On its own for a little while, the branch may live. It is not an instant dying. On its own it may even sprout new growth--that was on the verge of sprouting when attached to the vine. Longterm, the branch cannot live or bear fruit without the vine. As He tells you in John 15:5: if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Depression and anxiety at times may be manageable without Him. But longterm, they are more manageable and you grow stronger when connected to Him. Connected to something that is being cared for by the gardener. And notice that He says "much fruit," He is not offering just enough, He is offering plenty. All you have to do is stay connected to the vine and allow the gardener to work.

Scripture:

John 15

John 15:1

John 15:6

John 15:2

John 15:5

Reflection:

How do you stay connected to the vine when feeling like you are starting to wither?

What role does He play in your life to keep you connected?

How has He shown you "much fruit"? And during times of experiencing depression and anxiety?

What experiences do you have when you read that the God that created it all, is pruning you?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask that in these times of depression and anxiety you come into the lives of all who experience this and prune away the darkness. I pray that they do not give up from the appearance of being tossed aside, but know that you know their heart. Lord, I am so grateful that you are the one that tends to the garden of our lives. I am so thankful that the God who loves, is the one that prunes away the bad, and sets free the good that is within us. Heavenly Father, I ask that you send your healing hands over all. I pray that those who struggle to see that much as been given to them, be reminded through your comfort. I pray this in your son's name. Amen.