How Life Works

“Apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV

“There are points of connectedness where effectiveness multiplies and successes increase.”

My thoughts today are about how life works.”

You want to believe that you are a strong, capable, and self-sufficient individual, and in some ways and at some times you may seem to be. But none of us are able on our own to live up to our full potential. For that to happen it will most likely require a bit more than you alone may have. Oh, you may put on a brave front at times to fool others, but down inside you know very well in your heart this is true. That reality is certainly not unique to you, nor does it mean that you are somehow inadequate or less capable than others.

In Jesus’ teaching of the Vine and the Branches that surrounds today’s verse, He was talking about the importance, even necessity, of vital connections – those points of connectedness where you multiply your effectiveness and increase your successes. That’s true in the natural, everyday realm of contacts and interactions. No one person possesses all that is needed, or you would isolate yourself from others and lack the extra that someone else brings to a joint effort.

In business that is called networking. In sports that is called teamwork. You need others, and they need you. “Two are better than one, because together they can work more effectively.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 TEV. I readily admit that the encouragement and contribution of many others has helped me become more and achieve more than I ever could have alone.

That is even truer in your spiritual life. Not only are you better and stronger when bonded with others people of like-faith (Read Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT/Matthew 18:19 NIV), but also your abiding connection to Christ makes you incomparably more than you could or would ever be without Him. “Remain in Me, and I will 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.” John 15:4-5 NIV.

Listen to Paul’s summation of this: “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians 4:13 NLT. Imagine living with that kind of confidence all the time, and in every situation. Why would you ever want to try any part of your life on your own without God’s help? Read 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NLT.

Think about that for a moment. Is there anywhere in your life that you do not need His wisdom, enabling, and blessing? Your schoolwork, friendships, marriage and family, business and career, finances and stewardship, reconciling your past, plans for the future? Can you think of the place or places where you need God to become more in your daily life? Let Him be that for you.

And then Jesus gives us one another also!“ Under Christ’s direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 NLT/Acts 2:42-43 NIV.

My prayer for you today is: stay connected; life works better that way, all the time.