What are you doing?

We live in a world that is obsessed with messaging that communicates 10 step processes to become the next best _____ or 5 ways to improve your _____ and I could go on. We are all about self improvement, work ethic, and what we can do to get better, be better and do better. And we look to enhancing ourselves through our own works to do that. We rely, we depend, we trust in, our own ability to improve our lives and self.  

We set ourselves up for failure.  

Last night at church my friend Nate Lambert spoke from John 15 talking about the vine and the branch. It's so interesting to think that a branch literally had ONE responsibility, ONE must do, in order to bear fruit.  

Stay connected to the vine. From that connection, flows all else. 

Sometimes we try everything else to bear fruit in our lives in our own efforts first before we check in to see if we are connected to the vine, our source, Jesus.  

You see when the branch is connected to the vine, the vine does the work of getting the branch the nutrients it needs in order to produce fruit. It's from that place that our actions are fueled with the support they need to be incredible. 

When we are connected to Jesus, living in close proximity and intimacy with Him everyday, from Him flows all that we need to live in the way He has created us to live-- well, fruitful.

The ONLY way to live the BEST life God has for you, is to stay connected to the vine.  

Today, when you see yourself relying on your own efforts, check back in with the vine.  

Ash xoxo