CONNECTING POINT: Grafted In

Jesus provides us with an illustration in John 15:1-4, which helps us understand the value of connection. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” God is understood to be like a good gardener who sovereignly cares for us, pruning and lifting us out of the dirt so that our character can be transformed by Jesus. Jesus is the true or real vine, our only source for lasting purpose in life and eternity.

Life offers many other “vine” substitutes or imitations, many of which provide a limited sense of fulfillment or purpose, but they are not eternal. Kyle Idleman, pastor and author, emphasizes in When Your Way Isn’t Working that we are experiencing Information Fatigue Syndrome in our day. As we wrestle with experiences of life, we tend to try and “…google our way out.” Seldom do we sit back and internally reflect on our lives; we go, go, go, and fail to set important priorities physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The following statistics are mind-boggling. From the beginning of time till 2003, the “information age” (writing, texts, media, etc.) equals the same amount of information we see every two days. As individuals, we see nearly 54,000 words and 443 minutes of video daily. Tweets over the internet each day are equal to a 10-million-page book. Wow! We love the “Information Age,” but it’s creating some unhealthy issues. This might be a substitute vine in some respects, but we hold on too much.

Kyle also suggests that politics could be a potential imitation vine. The political environment we currently are facing is reaching a feverish pitch. Ironically, I want to share something I recently saw on Facebook because it’s a reality. “Don’t lose friendships over two men who don’t know your names. It’s ok to have different political views and still be ok with each other.” First, I want to prioritize my life so that relationships matter, starting by connecting to Jesus as the true vine to transform my character to be more like His, and second, building on my relationships with people in a respectful, truthful, and compassionate way. After all, no grapevine branch is alone; a healthy grapevine contains multiple branches that produce fruit.

Galatians chapter 5 lists two contrary descriptions of character traits that we can pursue: the fruits of the flesh and the fruits of the spirit. Following Jesus compels us to build upon the latter traits, such as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What do you want to be known for, “good” or “selfish” fruit? That’s a question we must all reflect upon.

Remaining in Jesus or being connected to Jesus can change the trajectory of our lives. The Bible provides another concept, “grafting” (Romans 11, Ephesians 2), another horticultural term that signifies how a disconnected branch can be surgically attached to a living vine or tree. Jesus did this for us on the cross: anyone who calls on Him to be saved. Are you connected to Jesus? You can be by just calling out to Him.