We are living in a culture obsessed with productivity. We measure success by output, hustle, achievement and visible results. Conversations revolve around accomplishments and what we do instead of who we are. Even in faith, we can fall into “doing for God” instead of “being with God.” Let’s take a look at John 15:5 as a spiritual redefinition of fruitfulness:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
What if spiritual productivity is not about striving, but about staying connected? I often talk about alignment. Alignment is when our words, actions, jobs, family, purpose; basically everything we are, aligns with our beliefs. Everything we are is aligned with everything we were created to be. Life will flourish when faith, identity and purpose are rooted in Christ, not performance. It is abiding in Christ for spiritual productivity.
What Does “Abiding in Christ” Mean on a Practical Level?
Let’s break this down into how we live instead of on a theoretical level. The following are three areas you can live to abide in Christ.
Abiding in Christ Is Relational, Not Transactional
Oftentimes when we think about productivity, a checklist comes to mind. We can even mentally picture this checklist as things to accomplish. Well, faith is not a checklist. It’s a relationship. This relationship first starts with God through Jesus Christ. This relationship should be natural and not something “we have to do,” but instead something we want to do. It should be something we choose to do. Abiding means that we offer prayer as communion, not an obligation. We utilize scripture as conversation instead of something we just consume. Build a relationship by spending time with Jesus and having conversations.
Abiding in Christ Requires Stillness and Trust
We live in a culture of constant motion. We hardly have time to think let alone to just be. Stillness counters this culture of constant motion. When we are abiding in Christ, it often looks like pausing before reacting, surrendering outcomes and trusting in God’s timing. Although these concepts are very simple, it can be extremely difficult to follow them. We need to understand and look for the grace in chaos. We can change how we act and react by abiding in christ with stillness and trust.
Abiding in Christ Involves Surrender and Pruning
In John 15:2 we learn that pruning can be necessary for greater fruitfulness. “He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” (usccb.org) We need to stop and be still so that we can consider where pruning may be needed. This may include letting go of comparison, releasing self-reliance and saying no to misaligned commitments. Don’t let the world drive who you are. Take the time to truly get to know who God created you to be. Take time to surrender to what God has planned for you. Where do you need to prune? Pray about it.
Understanding the Image: Vine, Branches and Fruit
Read all of John 15 . In this chapter, Jesus is preparing His disciples for life after His earthly ministry. He explains the relationship between you (us), Him and God. I found rereading this chapter to be profound in explaining to me how I should live. Jesus uses the metaphor, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, usccb.org) Let’s break it down”
- The Vine → Jesus Christ is the source of all life and nourishment
- The Branches → Our identity is relational, not independent
- The Fruit → The natural outcome of connection, not forced effort
Branches do not try to bear fruit, but they do remain connected. They are pruned to encourage fruitful growth. Remember that fruit is evidence of life and not the cause of it.
Redefining “Productivity” in the Life of Faith
There is a big difference, and maybe even a huge gap, between what we know as worldly productivity and spiritual fruitfulness. Let’s compare the two:
Worldly Productivity
- Hustle-driven
- Outcome-obsessed
- Rooted in self-worth
Spiritual (Kingdom) Fruitfulness
- Relationship-driven
- Spirit-led
- Rooted in obedience and trust
When we are living in spiritual productivity while abiding in Christ, we don’t produce fruit for God. We bear fruit with God. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) grows organically through abiding. “In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (usccb.org) These fruits are not often encouraged by society.
Where might you be striving to produce when God is inviting you to rest in Him?
Abiding as a Path to Spiritual Growth and Wholeness
When we abide in Christ, we awaken to who God created us to be. We do this not by doing more, but by aligning more deeply with Him, growing our faith, building our relationship with Him and living our purpose in who we are. Abiding helps us to shape our identity (who we are in Christ), our confidence (we are sustained by Him) as well as our peace (we are not responsible for outcomes alone). Spiritual growth is less about adding more disciplines and more about deepening connection. We are often quick to grow skills and even our minds, if spirituality is in our growth plan at all, it is usually last. Consider ways to grow your spirituality by abiding in Christ.
Living It Out: Everyday Ways to Remain in the Vine
It is much easier to abide in Christ by remaining in the vine on a daily basis. Let’s face it, challenges and distractions pop up daily. Here are some ways to implement to keep you on track:
- Begin the day with a prayer of gratitude and surrender . Give thanks for another day. Afterall, each day is a new gift. Offer yourself to God for His Will and His purpose for you.
- Invite God into ordinary moments. Invite God into your work as you step into the building, begin a project or right before you make that work call. Ask Him to enter into conversation and to guide your heart and your mind as well as your lips. Talk to Him before making important decisions.
- End the day with reflection instead of self-evaluation. Reflect on what they day brought you. Recognize God’s work in your life.
- Choose faithfulness over visibility. Always choose the path God has set before you, following the way of Jesus instead of “look at me.”
Remember we are invited to live like Jesus to build up the Kingdom, not for self notoriety. Always put God first and choose to live the example that Jesus set for us.
Fruit Comes From Faithful Abiding
Remember and reflect on John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (usccb.org) Fruit is promised to us and not earned. When we abide in Christ, we are living as God has asked us and that is living out our covenant with Him. Stay connected to God. Build that relationship. Spend time in prayerful meditation picturing Jesus with you, sharing your day, discussing your goals and how you will live out your purpose. Trust the process and know that everything happens in God’s time. Most of all, let God define fruitfulness. When we remain in Christ, our lives don’t just become productive; they become purposeful.
If you would like additional help on this path, keep a look out for my upcoming book, “Rise. Align. Shine. Living Boldly in Faith, Purpose and Joy” to be released in mid February.
Let’s pray:
Dear God,
You are the vine, and I am the branch. Help me to remain in You; rooted in Your love, truth and grace. Guide me along the path You have prepared for my life, not according to my striving, but according to Your purpose.
Thank You for the unique gifts You have placed within me and for the example Jesus gave us of faithfulness, obedience and love. I surrender my plans to You and invite You to lead me, to be with me and to live within me, so that my life may bear fruit that glorifies You. Amen.
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