Being Myself

Scripture – John 15:5-8: 5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What does it mean to “bear much fruit?” It seems to me that’s a question unique to every person. A grape vine produces grapes. An apple tree produces apples. That’s what God intends for them to do. God created me intentionally. He brought me into this world with a clear purpose in mind. He knows the fruit He intends for me to bear. At the risk of being simplistic, my purpose in life is to be the person God created (and is re-creating) me to be. An apple tree doesn’t push and strain to make apples. They just come naturally. And so with me – as I keep myself open to God’s re-creating power within, my personal “fruit” will take care of itself. I don’t have to make it happen. I just let it happen.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will let myself be who God wants me to be today. I won’t worry about being fruitful. I’ll trust that to Christ.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, thank you for the gift of life today. Help me live with my eyes on you. In you I can face all things and I can do all things. May I bear the fruit you have in mind for me.