The Good Life

The Good Life - Part 5

We all anchor ourselves to something. It might be relationships, success, appearance, or possessions; things that seem solid until life shakes them. In John 15, Jesus invites us to reimagine our anchor. He calls Himself the true vine, declaring that the abundant life of God flows through Him. The Father is the gardener, intimately involved, pruning what’s unhealthy. Not to harm us, but to heal us. Though pruning feels painful, it’s proof of His goodness and love.

Our role is to remain. To stay connected to Jesus. To go where He goes, and to do life with Him. Like a child gripping a parent’s hand in a busy parking lot, remaining is active, intentional, and full of trust. That’s where fruit grows: love, joy, peace, purpose. We can’t force it. We simply hold His hand and don’t let go.

But we don’t do this alone. We were created for community; to walk through life with others who help us grow in faith, encourage us, pray with us, and offer support. We know this because the vine Jesus referred to was a grapevine. Unlike most fruit, like apples or oranges, grapes grow in clusters, not in isolation. The invitation to each of us is to stay connected to the vine and to each other. That’s where life is found. If you’re longing for the kind of life that only Jesus can bring and want to learn more, click here to hear the full message.