I Choose Today to Stay Attached

Every spring, my husband and I feed the 50+ trees we have planted in our yard. Along with feeding (fertilizing), we also see which branches are dead and cut them off.

We then gather those dead branches and throw them into our next bonfire. These dead branches are perfect for lighting and keeping a fire going. They are brittle, dry, and light up quickly. Perfect for only being quickly consumed. Nothing else.

After we cut off the dead branches, we then prune the remaining ones. With regular feeding and pruning, the trees become stronger, healthier, more vibrant, and produce more and better quality fruit.

Jesus gave us this same example about our relationship with Him. As a matter of fact, He explained that the only way we can produce fruit is by staying attached to Him.

“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 15:5 NLT

A little further in the same chapter, Jesus tells us that each one of us has a special, unique purpose for this specific time in which we live:

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.” John 15:16 AMP

Stay attached to Him. You were planted here for a purpose, and that purpose is found when we stay attached to the true vine.

Reflect on your own life and spiritual journey. Are there areas that need pruning or dead branches that need to be cut off? Spend some time in prayer and ask God to reveal how you can stay more closely attached to Him. Consider sharing your thoughts or experiences in the comments below, and let’s encourage each other to remain connected to the true vine.

Stay attached, stay nourished, and watch the fruit in your life flourish.