I Am the Vine

"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

We spend so much time searching for a steady sense of peace and trying to feel secure. As women, we often define ourselves by our to-do lists, our roles, or how much we accomplish. This week in our "I Am" series, we hear a statement that cuts through all that striving and anxiety: I am the vine.

In this verse, Jesus uses the image of a vine and branches to describe our relationship with Him. It's a picture of dependence, connection, and fruitfulness.

1. "| am the vine; you are the branches."

Jesus is saying that He is the source of spiritual life, just as a vine is the source of life for its branches. The branch only has life, strength, and the ability to bear fruit when it stays connected to the vine. In the same way, we receive spiritual life, strength, and purpose only through our relationship with Him.

2. "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit."

To "remain" or "abide" means to stay connected, not just to believe in Jesus once, but to walk with Him daily. When we abide in Him through prayer, obedience, worship, and trust, His Spirit produces "fruit" in us—things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness. Our lives begin to reflect His character and bless others.

3. "Apart from me you can do nothing."

This isn't meant to discourage us - it's meant to remind us of our need for Him. Without Christ, we might accomplish things outwardly, but they won't have eternal or spiritual value. True transformation and lasting fruit come only through His power, not our effort.

This isn't just a beautiful picture; it's the simple truth about where real, lasting life comes from.

This brings the deepest comfort. Think about a branch. It doesn't have to struggle to make fruit. It doesn't have to work hard to stay green. Its only job is to stay attached. All its nourishment, strength, and life flow directly from the main Vine.

This is a great relief. You don't have to generate your own strength. You don't have to be totally self-sufficient. The good news of "I am the vine" is the permission to stop trying to be your own source. Your worth isn't found in your output but in your connection. When you simply remain, you find the peace and security you’ve been looking for.

But here is where the encouragement becomes a challenge we must face every day.

To truly accept "apart from me you can do nothing" means letting go of the need for control in small moments. It means that when your day feels overwhelming, your first move isn't to start frantically planning, but to remember your connection. It means turning away from the constant worry that says you must be strong enough on your own. This choice to depend is an active choice to trust the life flowing from the source.

Your identity isn't defined by what you do or how much you achieve this week. It is defined by the one who reminds us, Before Abraham was, I am. He is your eternal, steady source. Your peace is secured by clinging to the Vine, knowing that the life that produces everything good is his, always flowing, and always enough. Focus your heart this week entirely on remaining, and let the fruit appear naturally.