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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:4-7 ESV)
I am one of those folks who tend to try to be too self-sufficient sometimes! I try to do things on my own strength, on my own timetable, without waiting on God, without “abiding” first.
As the above passage points out, we CANNOT bear fruit without His help. Any good work we accomplish, any gift or wisdom we use – all these come from God. When we try to do things in our own strength, although sometimes God uses those efforts in spite of us, it’s not as good as waiting on Him, trusting Him, depending on Him. As the Word points out:
“For My thoughts are not Your thoughts, neither are Your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.” (Isa 55:8)
I have had to learn, un-learn and re-learn that lesson of dependence on God, and I’m ashamed to say, that sometimes I have to be in a position where I have NO choice but to lean on God, before I grasp that again!
May God help us to remember always, to depend on Him, and to give Him thanks for all He does for and through us!
We are not called to be independent but to be dependent on the Divine!
Prayer: Lord, so many times I thought I was wiser than You. Forgive me for leaning on my own understanding instead of trusting in You. My desire is to do Your will.  Only then will I bear fruit that will endure.
(PR)