“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Can you relate to the feeling of needing to be in multiple places at once? If only there were more of you, then maybe you could meet everyone’s expectations.
It’s a blessing to be wanted, but it can also feel overwhelming. While we may be engaged in one conversation or task, our minds often drift to the countless other things that need to get done. In the end, we’re never fully present anywhere.
John 15 reminds us of our deep need to abide in Christ. While we can’t physically be in multiple places, we can certainly be mentally distant. It’s easy to think no one notices, but those closest to us—our spouse, children, and friends—can sense when we’re not fully there.
Bruce Wilkinson once said, “God didn’t want me to do more for Him. He wanted me to be more with Him.” This is the heart of abiding. It’s about being present, not just physically, but spiritually—connected to Christ and aware of His presence in each moment.
When we choose to abide in Jesus, it affects everything: how we approach our work, our relationships, and even our sense of rest. Instead of running on empty, trying to meet everyone’s demands, we can draw from the vine—His strength, His love, and His peace. It’s in abiding that we bear fruit because apart from Him, we truly can do nothing.
So today, let’s choose to be fully present. Be all there in your personal time with the Lord. Be all there when you are in conversation with your spouse. Be all there when you are with your children. Be all there in any interaction you have today, but most of all, stay connected to Jesus. Only in Him will we have the capacity to truly be where our feet are.
