The Vine Still Finds You
I admit it. The heat of summer in Georgia has caused me to stop starting my mornings with God in the backyard. It’s been hot—so hot that as soon as I feel the warmth creeping into my older, poorly insulated home, I make the decision to stay as cool as possible. But God always finds a way to remind me of the things I’ve forgotten.
This morning, I walked into my kitchen and found a vine growing through the window.
Yes, through the window.
Upon investigating, I discovered that a vine had crept up the side of my house and forced its way through the seams of the frame. First—who knew vines were that strong? And second—how did I miss it?
Oh right… I forgot to mention: I keep my blinds closed all day to block the sunlight, hoping to reduce the heat in my house. So I didn’t notice what was happening outside—until the vine poked through the closed blinds.
Have you ever thought about the fact that they’re called blinds?
The name says it all. They blind us from the light outside.
And maybe they also symbolize how easily we become blind to the things of God—
the light of Christ that’s always trying to reach us.
But like that vine, God will find a way.
“I Am the Vine…”
When I saw that creeping vine, I was reminded of something Jesus said: “I am the vine…”
And I realized—I had forgotten.
In the chaos of this country and the tension in my own life, I forgot I was connected to the Vine.
I forgot that as a branch, my only job is to bear fruit.
Not strive.
Not push.
Not fix.
Simply bear fruit.
The first fruit I’m called to bear is the fruit of the Spirit.
The Quiet Work
Unlike the big, grand, public “fruit” we tend to seek—status, success, visibility—the fruit of the Spirit is subtle. It’s internal. It’s the quiet work the Holy Spirit does when we yield to God.
Someone cuts you off in traffic? Yield to the Spirit.
Someone grabs the last carton of eggs at the store? Yield to the Spirit.
Someone abuses their power or platform? Still… yield to the Spirit.
This is not easy work.
If it were, everyone would do it.
Every camel would stroll through the eye of a needle.
It’s not easy—and on our own, it may be impossible.
But with God?
All things are possible.
Even the seemingly impossible act of bearing fruit in a harsh, impatient world.
It’s Not Up to Us
If it were up to us… we’d fail.
But it’s not up to us.
The Vine does the hard work.
We simply bear the fruit.
We hold it.
We express it.
We reflect the image of God not by striving, but by staying connected.
Sometimes the vine shows up through a closed window.
Sometimes through a closed heart.
But it keeps growing—nudging, whispering, reminding.
A Gentle Invitation
Would you like a chance to sit with God and remember what it means to bear fruit?
Join me at Convergence for a 6-week video meditation series rooted in Galatians 5:22–23.
Each week, you’ll receive a short, guided reflection on the fruits of the Spirit—
love, joy, peace, and more—
not as achievements to strive for,
but as signs of God’s quiet work within you.
Together, we’ll explore how Spirit-filled lives stay grounded in Christ
and resist the chaos of the world with grace and maturity.
Join us for The Quiet Work: Living the Fruit of the Spirit