Remain
Image: Stefano Zocca on Unsplash
Yippee, January is over! I don’t know about you, but to me it felt like a very long, wet and dark month. February is now here and we are heading for Spring.
When it hasn’t been wet, I have been out in our garden doing some winter pruning, and even had a bonfire. I only do a little bit at a time, due to a slipped disk some years ago, there is only so much my back can take.
Each year I prune most of the plants, and amazingly they all grow back in the Springtime. I am no expert, so am delighted when I see new shoots budding, especially when I feel like I have been rather reckless with the secateurs.
The imagery of plants growing, pruning and being fruitful is used a few times in the Bible. Jesus was the master of picking out everyday items and talking about God and His Kingdom.
In the book of John, Jesus talked about a vine, something that would have been very common then. He said…
“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.”
I’m no gardener, but even I know that a branch on a vine can only produce grapes as long as it stays connected to it. Chop it off and it’s dead – no fruit!
Jesus stressed the importance of remaining in Him. Some translations use the word abide, which means dwell, continue, or stay in a close, living relationship with God.
Here are my three top tips to help with this:
Take time to ‘be with God’. That is spiritually, but could be physically too, by finding a place that is for you and God to connect alone.
Be present and attentive. Deliberately set aside all the other stuff going on in your life and focus on Him, both talking and listening.
Create a rhythm. Things tend to become part of our lives when we do them regularly, so try to find a slot in your week and stick to it.
God bless you:)
Gary Bastin
Hope Community Church leader