the vine

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit 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."

John 15:4-5

Elyse Fitzpatrick notes:

In my typical self-aggrandizing fashion, I overlook what he's saying about his being the vine. Instead I focus on what I have to do to abide.

Oh, yes, yes, I know that you are the vine, but now I've got to abide. Let's see...what should I do first?

I overlook the truth that it's his power that births and sustains the entire plant. He's supplying all that's necessary for my growth and fruitfulness.

It's his life, his purpose, his determination to be in union with me - that is the central point.

It is not about what I must do.

(Taken from Day 20 Comforts of the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick)

* Photo -"American Idol's" vineyard under construction in San Miguel next door to my Aunt's property.