I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Have you ever felt like you were just “spinning your wheels”? We use this expression to describe using a lot of energy on something that won’t ultimately amount to anything. Like a car stuck in the mud, it doesn’t matter how hard you try, you are not going anywhere or accomplishing anything. We do a lot of things regularly: we work, keep our homes, do schoolwork, run errands, and make meals, just to name a few. Recognizing we can “do” many things can make it difficult to grasp what Jesus meant in this verse? Jesus’s focus was on eternity. His focus was beyond where we often set ours. God intends for your life to have lasting significance and lasting fruit.

Remaining in Christ may not change our to-do list from day to day, but it changes the way we go about those things. Instead of chasing after momentary happiness, we are satisfied with lasting joy in Him. Instead of accomplishing tasks to make a name for ourselves, we do those things to share His hope with others. Instead of spinning our wheels on temporary pursuits, we seek eternal investments. God has designed you for more than just getting by, He has created you to bear much fruit, but that only happens when you remain in Him. The Christmas season is more than just a reminder of Jesus’s coming to earth; it’s a call to remain in Him throughout the whole year.

• What are some daily moments that might look different if you remained in Christ?
• Where might you be “spinning your wheels”? How does it feel to know God has designed you for a lasting purpose?
• Pray and thank God for His eternal purpose. Ask for Him to show you how to remain in Him daily.