Scripture. John 15:5
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.
Have you ever felt empty? Sometimes the demands around us are greater than what we have in us to give. When this happens, we may feel our lives are an impossible burden. This is especially true if you are called to care for others in your home, church, workplace, or community. If you have ever felt this way, I have good news for you.
Jesus teaches that the power to care for others isn’t in us. All good things are in Him. He is the vine. The responsibility to care for others isn’t ours directly. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not us. Our caring for others is Jesus’ caring for them. As we are connected to God’s power, we are enabled to do what is truly necessary. It is God who cares for all people.
This important shift is necessary to address a common error in our thinking. If we begin to think that we are the “Jesus”, that we are the vine, that we are the ones meeting all the needs of others in our little worlds, we will crash into our limitations and find ourselves empty.
The result of this is that we may very well give up, collapse, and end up doing nothing at all! Like a branch that is cut from a vine, we wither and are good for nothing. This feeling is very common. What should we do?
When we, as God’s people, feel overwhelmed it is important to first connect to the true vine, our Savior Jesus, through faith. We should examine if we are serving for other reasons than those that come from faith. Are we being tempted by personal gain? Are we being tempted by our pride? These are sins which lead to emptiness. God is in charge. Jesus is the true vine. If we are connected to Him we are given His wisdom and motivation.
When we are at the end of our rope, God calls us to repent of our sins. To those who come to Him in faith, God gives His forgiveness through the cross of Jesus. God gives the faithful humility that teaches them to wait for the Lord’s answer to our prayers. Jesus leads us to trust in His strength, and accept His Will. He leads us to set aside goals that are not His, and desires that drain us of His Joy.
Through daily connection to God in HIs Word, prayer, and the gifts of God through His church, God will make us abundantly fruitful. This is how Jesus said it. “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.” Trust in Jesus’ words, and know that you will not be left empty. He cares for you.
Let us pray.
I ask you Lord to lead me in repentance when I feel empty, stuck, and my life has become less fruitful. I thank you for your forgiving Love and for being my Good Shepherd. Help me to trust in you and your promises of provision for all my needs and the needs of all people. Today, I serve in your strength alone. AMEN