Thrive
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. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5
Devotion
The first Saturday in January was a grey drizzly morning. The kind of morning when you step outside you don’t see the rain but feel the mist on your face. I like to take my dog, Willow, on walks when the weather is like this because there are few distractions. Winter mornings feel sleepy and quiet. The earth feels dormant, but this is far from the truth. Life is already stirring just below the cold winter surface.
Spring is coming and the days are getting longer. The daffodils have already stretched their long necks out of the frozen earth and turned their yellow faces toward the sun. For Christmas I received an amaryllis bulb. For a couple of weeks there was little growth and I was disappointed. Then my mother suggested that I put it in the sun – and that’s all it took! The bulb thrived in my kitchen window.
In our scripture today, Jesus reminds us that we too will thrive if we remain in him. When we reveal ourselves too him, like sunlight on an amaryllis bulb, we blossom. There are many ways to remain in Christ – through daily pray, meditating on Scripture, or walking silently in nature. Nevertheless, the choice is ours; we can remain dormant and sleepy or we can turn our attention toward the one true Light. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. (Eph. 5:8-9) Fruit cannot ripen unless it stays on the vine and in the sun. Jesus, the Son of God, is the Light of the world. As you walk with Christ, let His light guide each step and let your actions manifest your abiding love for him.
Reflection
Where do you find yourself on your faith journey today? How are you inviting Christ light into your life? What fruit do you see coming to bear?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, just as spring flowers bear witness to the warmth of the sun, help us to bear witness to your eternal light. Guide our steps and steady our pace when our path feels dark and frozen. In you, our hope is renewed, like the dawning of springtime. Awaken within us your love and mercy, so that we can be for our neighbors the light you are within us. Amen.