The thought of doing something alone, such as going out to a restaurant by yourself, or going to a social gathering without a date or, at the very least, a friend to tag along is a weird concept to a lot of people. Most people have the desire to surround themselves with people that make them comfortable in the daily routine of life.

The most interesting thing about this concept is that many of us approach our spiritual walk from the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The idea of relying on “someone” (God) just seems to slip our minds when it comes to our spiritual life. In the last of Jesus’ I Am statements, he states that he is the true vine.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
— John 15:1-7

Verses 4-7 dive in deep to show us how far off we can be when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. Just like a fruit cannot grow without the vine, we are unable to grow without abiding in what Jesus has taught us. “For apart from me you can do nothing” is a bold claim that I miss a lot of times. It is so easy to think that we can handle the things that the world throws our way. We feel that we can handle the anger, the addiction, the gossip, the poor relationships, or whatever else it may be. Jesus is clearly telling us here that it is simply not possible to take care of our lives while being far from him.

Matthew 7 tells us that we will be known by our fruits. A healthy tree will not bear bad fruit, just as a diseased tree will not bear good fruit. What kind of fruit are you bearing with your life? Do those who do not know God know that you are bearing good fruit, or see that you are far from God bearing bad fruit?

As you examine which type of fruit you are bearing, allow God to prune away the things that are producing bad fruit and replace them with him in your life. It will be the sweetest fruit from the healthiest vine you have ever tasted.