John 15:4-6 NKJV

4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered

Several years ago some pumpkin seeds were planted in our backyard and a pumpkin vine came up as a result. This pumpkin vine has flourished and has kept on producing a lot of pumpkins that have become delicious yard food: soup foundation, pumpkin rice and side dishes of other meals. However, none of the pumpkins could have become fit and ready for harvest unless they remained on the vine. What I found fascinating was that the pumpkins grew in so many different places in the yard. The vine and its branches were all over the place:- on the roof, behind trees, up in the soupsop tree. Each branch had its own place where it blossomed and bore pumpkins. The branch did not say, I don’t like the roof so I am not going to bear.

Does this pumpkin vine remind you about Jesus’words in John 15″ I am the vine , you are the branches, those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing”?

How are you feeling today? Are you feeling disconnected from Jesus? Are you in an uncomfortable place? Maybe you even feel like nothing. The only solution is to draw close to Jesus the vine today, so that you don’t become a useless and withered branch. Instead, let this pruning transform you into a connected, flourishing vine bearing much fruit. I know how difficult it is in this stage of disconnectedness but pull all your nutrients from the Living Word who is able to sustain you through any season of drought so your leaves do not wither, you bear fruit in every season and what ever you do prospers (Psalm 1:3).

Jesus you are our pumpkin vine. We cannot do nothing without you. Help us in this season where we feel useless and dried up. We pull on you the Living word who has the power to recreate us and transform into connected, flourishing branches of you. We bless you for being our connection to the Father and Spirit. Amen