Daily Nuggets of Grace Part 7: Fruitful! ናሙና

Abide in the True Vine

How do you hear the words, "Be fruitful?" As a call or a command? And how do you respond?

For a long time, all I could imagine doing was being a missionary. It seemed to me the most exciting, most fulfilling way of "being fruitful." As we prepared to relocate to Uganda, my mind was full of everything we would do, the demanding work ahead of us, and the fruit we would see.

It was exciting. We helped establish programs for the most vulnerable, raised funds, and built buildings.We proclaimed the gospel in the prisons, the schools, and the hospitals. We had times of triumph and seasons of challenge – discouraging, seemingly endless, fearful challenges.

The work was hard; I became anxious, and the wheels came off my cart of self-sufficiency. I discovered an age-old truth; God brings us to the end of our own resources so that we can truly find His.

Jesus says, "I am the true Vine." Now, that would have got His first-century audience listening. It's a fantastic statement. Throughout the prophets and the Psalms, Israel is described as the vineyard, and her people are described as its vines.

But Psalm 80 and Isaiah 5 lament that the vine planted to bear fruit for the nations is instead producing sour grapes. Jesus is taking on the role and saying, "If you really want to bear fruit, abide in me. I'm the TRUE vine." Any other vine we might find ourselves abiding in is a false vine.

Through pride and ignorance, I had chosen a counterfeit vine of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. I had confused success – a result of my effort, my strength, and stress – with fruitfulness.

Success is what the world seeks. Fruit is what God wants us to produce. Success grows out of our vision and goal. Fruitfulness aligns with God’s goal for us. We try to succeed by our own effort. But fruitfulness grows out of God’s grace. Success brings momentary satisfaction. Fruit lasts forever!

Let’s Reflect and Respond

What are the fruitful works God has prepared in advance for you to enter? Whether you're a tentmaker, teacher, engineer, or evangelist, choose today to abide in the true vine, Jesus, and His fruitfulness. Reject the false worldly vine of success and self-sufficiency.

Let’s Pray

Jesus, I'm sorry for the times I've abided in the wrong vine. I choose to abide in You, the true vine. Please show me the changes I need to make so that I can bear fruit that lasts. Amen

Alright, now, let’s dive into the scriptures around this theme…