Riélle Heine

“Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.  John 15:1, 4-5

One of the clearest memories of my children's childhood is that of my oldest daughter, just over three at the time, bent over her baby sister while I was busy caring for her.  And then, when she saw her own reflection in her sister's eyes for the first time, she looked up at me with surprise and said, “Look, mommy, I'm in her eyes! Now I cannot die!

I have never been able to think of a clearer image than this to encourage me to walk closer to Christ; so close that I actually can see myself in his eyes, so close that I can see my immortality.

For me, this image is synonymous with the believer who is like a branch that is part of the true vine, which is Christ. We must remain inseparably close to Christ. Without him we cannot exist. [Verse 6: "Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up”] If we do not live close to Christ and have a real relationship with him, we cannot produce fruit.

Christ yearns for a relationship with each of his children. He wants to be close to us every day.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you encourage us with clear images to live close to you. Thank you for your living word which strengthens and nourishes us every day. Amen.