Stay Where the Strength Is

We live in a world that knows how to hustle, but not always how to be healthy. We push harder, take on more, and keep ourselves busy — but busy doesn’t always mean fruitful. Sometimes it just means tired.

Jesus’ words in John 15 cut right through the noise:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4-5 (ESV)

Thriving in faith isn’t about doing more for God — it’s about staying connected to God. A branch doesn’t strain itself to produce fruit. It simply stays connected to the vine, and life flows through it. In the same way, our growth comes through presence (spending time with Him), process (letting Him grow us over time), and partnership (staying connected with His people).

That doesn’t sound flashy, but it is freeing. We don’t have to force fruit. We don’t have to fake strength. We just have to remain where the strength is — in Jesus.

So here’s the question for the week:
Where do you need to stop striving and start abiding?

Maybe it’s daily time in prayer or Scripture. Maybe it’s committing to community in a Rooted Group or Outpost. Maybe it’s finally taking that step of baptism.

The vine isn’t hiding. He’s inviting. Stay connected — and watch your life bear the kind of fruit only He can produce.