10 Steps Ahead: A Growth Devotional with Adia PetersonSample

The Most Important Connection 

Think for a moment about what makes you who you are. Is it your family, your personality, your sense of humor, your likes or dislikes, your talents? Usually, we pull our identity from where we come from and the people and events that make up our life from day-to-day. All of us have a need to fit into the environment where we live. We get our sense of belonging and significance from our connections. 

Jesus speaks about the most important connection of our lives in John, chapter 15. He compares Himself to a vine and us to the branches. In this passage, He teaches us that we get our literal life from staying attached to Him. He instructs us that when we abide in Him, there is little limit to what we can achieve. 

We belong to Jesus. He makes us who we are. You will be incredibly tempted to fill your life with things that distract you from spending time with the Lord—distractions that cause you to miss your devotions, to not want to read your Bible, to do anything but pray, or cause your mind to wander during worship. But only the enemy wants you to avoid the presence of the Lord. 

I encourage you to protect your closeness with Jesus and fight to be in His presence. Press to understand more about who you are by chasing after Him with all of your heart. I always say this, "Youth is not an excuse!" As young people, we have even more reason to need the wisdom and voice of God in our lives. 

Let the Lord speak to you in the quiet, still times when no one is around. Open your heart to Him during worship or devotional moments, allowing His Spirit to minister to you. He's a God who wants to keep you close. In Him, you belong. 

Prayer For Today

Father, thank you for wanting to keep me close to you. Help me to hear you in the quiet moments, and to understand your will for my life. I find my identity in you. I know I belong to you. I ask you for grace to keep my relationship with you close and consistent. Help me to remember that I am yours.