The Trellis and the Vine
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”John 15:4–5 (KJV)
Leave a grapevine alone and it will sprawl in every direction, along the ground, into the weeds, wherever it can reach. Give it a trellis and it climbs. The trellis doesn’t make the vine grow. It gives the growth a direction.
Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Life comes from him. We can’t manufacture fruit.
But the rhythms we choose, a set time with the word, a weekly day of rest, a regular night with your spouse, work like a trellis. They give the life Christ puts in us somewhere to grow. Paul says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Order isn’t the enemy of the Spirit.
If your spiritual life feels like it is sprawling all over the ground, you may not need more willpower. You may need a trellis.
Read it yourself
Read John 15:1–8. What does the Father do to every branch that bears fruit?
What simple rhythm could act as a trellis for your walk with God this month?
Lord, you are the vine. Help me build rhythms that make room for your life to grow in me. Amen.