Called To Remain

Written by: Maddie Joy Fischer

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 

As an achiever, I have spent much of my life considering what my calling is. I love dreaming with Jesus about where He wants me to go and what He wants me to do with the gifts I have been given for His glory. While this is well intentioned, and good, it can quickly fall into a tendency of striving and self-sufficiency. Maybe you can relate. This has never been, and will never be, His heart for me – or for any of His sons and daughters.  

In 1 John 15, we are reminded that He is the vine and we are the branches. This means that He is our source, not the other way around. The branches remain dependent on the vine for life, purpose, and provision. They must stay connected, and so, we are called first to remain, then to produce fruit. 

To remain (or abide) means to stay. This call to remain is a reminder that our relationship with and nearness to Jesus is our first, and most important, calling. Before anything He  instructs His followers to do, He invites us to be with Him. This is His greatest desire. 

Surrender striving today. Prioritize being with Jesus above all else. Stay in His word. Sit at His feet. Pray continually. These are not religious obligations, these are relational privileges. Be careful, in your pursuit of purpose, not to forget that you were first created to love and be loved by your creator. When you prioritize nearness to the vine, good fruit will naturally be produced through your life. Not only good fruit, but much fruit! 

This cannot happen through self-sufficiency. Nothing worthwhile can be done apart from Him, and this is exactly how He designed it. This is so we would remain dependent on Him and in continual relationship with Him. He knows what we need far better than we do!

Yes, producing fruit is important, but it will always be second to knowing Him, and a direct result of knowing Him. Yes, we are absolutely called to ministry, but what we do will never be where our value is found in the Father’s eyes. He loves us because we are His. Nothing is more important to Him than being near to us, and that reality is woven into this simple invitation: 

“Remain in me.” 

As we remain in Him, He remains in us. Life flows. We are filled with purpose.  Striving and self-sufficiency are surrendered so that we can live in the rest He always intended. Much good fruit is produced. 

Most importantly, we accept knowing and loving Him as our first calling and greatest desire. This is what we are made for!