Terry and I went to visit a precious elderly woman we know and love who recently lost her husband. We took her out to lunch then we visited one of the state parks. I could not get over the massive size some of the trees were, as well as the vines that twisted up, around and all the way to the ground. As we stood, marveling at one tree in particular and how large one of the vines was, I commented how I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ words in John 15: “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.” - John 15:5 (NIV)
If you study trees, you learn branches growing from vines are too weak to support themselves. Chilling, isn’t it? Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches. Apart from Him we can do nothing.
As we walked along the path taking in the beauty all around us, I could not shake the scripture placed on my heart as we observed the tree with the beautiful vine wrapped all around it. The trees shaded the paths and although it was a pretty, sunny day; the trees made the area almost appear dark. But at one point, I noticed a bright patch of light on the walkway. I looked up and saw the sun shining through the trees. As always, the light shines through the darkness.
“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” - John 1:5 (NIV)
On the walkway I had such an incredible peace wash over me. I looked up and snapped a photo so I would not forget it. Some news Terry and I received last month shook us to the core. Every night I woke up and cried; every time I tried to eat and became too sick to finish a meal; the enemy wanted to cover me up in darkness. But I knew better than to allow it. “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”
The evil in this world will never understand the light shining because of Jesus. The enemy cannot comprehend the strength from our True Vine. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. But if we remain in Him and Jesus in us, we will bear much fruit. What fruit? Well, our labors. Our praises to God. But I also believe He was reminding us of the nine fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Those beautiful vines we saw walking that day reminded me of the strength you and I have in the darkness. We can only source our strength from one place: Jesus. And when we source our strength in Him, He is our vine and He gave us His Holy Spirit who gives us His fruits.
Don’t you just love the reminder His light shines in the darkness? This world cannot understand it, so let’s shine His light for them to see. We will do this through the fruits of His Spirit stemming on our branches from His vine.