Jesus said in John 15:1, “I am the true vine.” The vine is the source of life for the branches. A branch cut from a vine withers and dies. In a spiritual way, all people are connected to a “vine”. It is some “meaning” or “life force” that proports to tie life experiences into some coherent purpose. There are a vast number of things people use for meaning. Money, fame, significance or fear of the lack of these.
Many Christians act more like they are connected to “Jesus the banyan tree” rather than “Jesus the vine”. A banyan tree is one that grows trunks from existing limbs. It grows new supports to the ground as the branches extend. Unfortunately, most Christians like a nonbeliever try to get their support from more than one place. If one support fails, they have options. I have heard Christians facing trouble say, “I have some savings, but after that I will have to trust God.” Their first source is their savings, or social security check, or family member. Some count on their physical health or emotional strength, or any number of other sources before God.
We need regular inventory on our trust devices. How do you know if you are trusting in a source? Imagine that source being taken away? How badly would it affect our emotional wellbeing? There are many false vines. Things that promise life but only deliver emptiness. When our supports are fragile, we become fragile.
Our connection to God needs to be our only source. Because He is the true source: pure, undefiled, limitless, eternal, never failing.
Jesus is our true vine, our only true source and strength.
-Blessings