Stay Connected to Jesus in Service

In John 15:1-11, Jesus gives us a powerful metaphor about our relationship with Him: He is the vine, and we are the branches. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2). This picture is about staying connected to Jesus, not just in the quiet moments of life, but especially in our service to Him.

As women who desire to serve God, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that our worth is tied to our ability to serve, whether it’s at home, at church, at work, or in our communities. We often feel the pressure to do more, be more, and give more, thinking that this is what God expects. But Jesus gently reminds us in this passage that it’s not our hustle or the efforts that make us fruitful; it’s our connection to Him.

Think about it: when a branch is disconnected from the vine, it withers and bears no fruit. Yet, when it remains connected, it thrives and produces fruit. As women, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to “do” everything perfectly in our service to God. We may give of ourselves generously, but without staying connected to Jesus, we risk burning out, feeling empty, or becoming frustrated.

Jesus tells us in verse 5, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” And, as humbling as that may sound, it’s also incredibly freeing. When I remember that I don’t have to do everything in my own strength, I can let go of the pressure to perform and instead focus on what it means to simply remain in Him. Serving God is not about achieving perfection or being busy all the time; it’s about being rooted in Christ, letting Him empower us, and allowing His love to flow through us to others.

In our service to God, He often prunes us, removing things from our lives that are hindering our growth. Pruning can be uncomfortable, even painful, but it’s part of the process. I’ve been through seasons where I felt stretched thin, where I was doing so much but felt drained and disconnected from God. It’s during those times that God has pruned me, reminding me that He doesn’t need me to be everything to everyone. He needs me to stay connected to Him, to listen to His voice, and to serve from a place of rest, not striving.

Serving God is about abiding in Him, not in our own efforts. Jesus invites us to find our strength, our purpose, and our joy in Him. When we remain in Jesus, our service becomes an outflow of His love and grace, rather than a burden we carry on our own.

Jesus also says in verse 11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Serving God should bring us joy, but that joy comes not from how much we do or how well we do it, but from being deeply connected to Jesus. When we remain in Him, we experience a joy that is full and abundant, even in the midst of busy, difficult seasons.

Today, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or discouraged in your service, take a moment to check your connection to the Vine. Are you trying to do it all on your own? Are you allowing the busyness of life to pull you away from your true source of strength? Jesus doesn’t want us to burn out; He wants us to bear lasting fruit, and that comes from remaining in Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding me that my service to You is not about how much I can do, but about staying connected to You. I confess that I often try to do everything in my own strength and forget that You are the true Vine. Help me to serve from a place of rest in You, not out of striving or guilt. Prune away anything in my life that hinders my growth and my connection to You. Fill me with Your joy as I remain in You, and help me bear fruit that brings glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.