Forever Fruitful In ChristSample

 Choosing Your Vine

We move about the earth with unprecedented speed, but we do not know, and have not thought, where we are going, or whether we shall find any happiness there for our harassed souls. — William Durant, 1929

When we come to Jesus, we are blessed to find rest for our souls.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

I think the real challenge is getting to that point. It’s so easy to put our hope in something else. We find ourselves abiding in other things, and then they fail us. In those moments we have a choice: Will we choose to abide in Christ? Or will we dwell on the disappointment of things that could never meet our deepest needs in the first place?

When our spouse doesn’t love us the way we thought they would and we’re overcome by disappointment, what do we do? We leave it to Jesus Christ, we abide, and we rest in His love. In Him we’ll find our needs met, regardless of what our spouse may do.

When our teenagers start to go off the wall, running in every direction except the one we’re pointing them toward, what do we do? We trust in Jesus; we rest there.

When we’re the teenagers and our parents are tightening the reins because “they just don’t get it,” what do we do? We settle into Jesus. We abide there—moment by moment, day by day.

The list could go on and on. Because it’s not just people who fail us... it’s money, entertainment, our health, etc. But the pattern remains the same. Anytime we face difficulty, we have the choice to either grow bitter or to embrace our relationship with Christ—remaining in Him who brings peace to our souls.

Jesus, You are the true Vine. Give me wisdom to see when I’m trusting in anything other than You. Give me the willingness to readjust my focus and turn from things that are destined to fail me. By faith and the truth of Your Word, draw me into an intimate personal relationship with You so I can find rest and peace for my soul. Amen.