We are currently experiencing an unusual time of disconnection. We are quarantined at home. Our church is broadcast into our homes and we are not allowed to gather together. We must purposefully stay connected to others. Any connection we have is distanced. We must take time to call each other, pray for each other, and make sure everyone is surviving well. We must remain together without being together.
4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.
John 15:4-5 (CSB)
Jesus reminds His disciples to remain in Him. If we do, we will produce fruit. If we do not we cannot produce fruit. What is this fruit? I suppose we could make a long list. The things that come to my mind? How do I think about the fruit in my life? I pay attention to who I am. If I want a Christlike character, I must be connected to Him. I am also mindful of the things I do. If I want to be His hands and feet in the pursuit of healing, restoration, justice, and life, I must be connected to Him.
How do I stay connected? I must spend time in His Word. I must allow it to transform my life into His likeness. I must spend time in prayer. I must make use of these two information processes in a continual, two-way conversation with Him. Also, I must be obedient. I must be the person He is forming me to be and I must do the things He asks me to do. Will it be an easy road? No. He also warns us that we will be pruned. He will cut away the things in our lives that are counterproductive to our fellowship with Him, our spiritual formation, and His kingdom values here on earth.
Will you use this time of isolation to connect to Jesus? Will you dive into His word and pray without ceasing? Doing so will connect you to Him. His fruit will grow in your life.