Wednesday
John 15:1-4

We live in a world full of anxiety and stress. Everyone is trying to accomplish a certain goal, achieve a certain position, or maintain a certain reputation. It happens to us in areas of ministry as well. We want to do God’s work, grow God’s church, and meet the needs of people around us. We try to keep everyone happy and look good while doing it all. The stress can be too much.

Jesus says we are connected to God like a branch is connected to a vine. A branch is not working, trying, or stressing; a branch is just doing its one job. It isn’t working hard to produce fruit; it produces fruit because it is connected to the vine. When it is connected to the vine it gets the nutrition and resources it needs to do the job it was created to do. So if we are connected to God like a branch is connected to a vine, why are we working and trying and stressing so much?