Davenport Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 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." (John 15:1, 2, 4)

Arriving home from a vacation, I discovered not only a lawn that desperately needed mowing, but also a lawn full of branches and twigs. As my family bailed out of our car I was unaware that two nights previous a severe thunderstorm had blown through the community, snapping many branches from the two large maple trees in our front yard. The branches I picked up later nearly filled a 32-gallon trash can. Upon closer examination, I became aware that most of the branches were barren of any foliage and had been dead before falling to the ground. It appears that the winds were nature's way of involuntarily pruning the trees, leaving the healthy limbs to nourish their green leaves. The harsh winds had lashed every branch with equal force. However, it was only those branches without life, which were threatened by the storm's wind. The majority of healthy branches stood firm, even though they were also shaken by the fierce winds.

In comparison, all of us face severe winds and storms in life. It is God's Spirit within us that keeps us "alive" to hold fast while others may allow the storms to toss their lives about.

In the wider Bible passage of John 15, Jesus sets the standard for his disciples to follow if they are to truly stay connected to Him. These standards of a Believers life are "abiding in Him," through prayer (vs. 7), through loving obedience (vs. 9-10), and from the joy he gives (vs. 10). Those who stay connected and attached to Christ will find their life's nourishment from God . . . now and forever.

The challenge remains with us to ask God the following. What do we need to prune from our lives that we may find our life's nourishment in Him, that Christ may find "a home in us?" Jesus said . . . "Remain in me and I will remain in you." (John 15:4).

Sam Davenport is the transitional pastor at Flora First Christian Church.