Matters of the Heart - Pt 3

[Jesus said], I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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 15:1-5 ESV).

When I think about self-examination and my “spiritual heart health” I must look at my connection to Jesus as my source of strength and hope. In learning the source of this strength I find that I am drawn to an understanding of the truth that without Him I can do nothing; but, with Him nothing is impossible. This is the place I can be free from the anxiety of life. After all, anxiety comes from the misplaced belief that I can control a future that I can’t even know or imagine. Strength comes from trusting in the One who not only knows the future, but is also enough for whatever storm arises. The picture I’ve chosen to accompany today’s devotional is telling in the symbolism I see in it. Notice the old boat is plowing through the raging storm chasing it. I can imagine the engine struggling to make progress through the choppy way and fierce winds. I wonder how many times I’ve been guilty of that kind of reaction to the difficulties I’ve faced. Like this boat I struggle to escape my circumstances when the best course would be through the storm to the safety of land. Notice in the painting how the old boat is trying to sail away from the lighthouse where it could find a safe port. Somehow, as life becomes more difficult, I forget the words of Jesus: As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me (v. 4). Somehow, Jesus is often the last One I turn to for help. Tragically the end of that course of action is always a separation from the Vine. I started my annual pruning of the grape vines I’m growing in the back. They are “wild” muscadines. They are very prolific, but when pruned properly they produce a wonderful grape suited for jelly. Two things are keys in the pruning. One, the branches I prune are only good for burning. They no longer function separately from the vine. Two, the branches I leave grow healthier and produce more because they receive the necessary “life” from the vine. In matters of the heart we cannot afford to miss the principle of dependence on Jesus, who is the true Vine!