Remain

I am the vine and you are the branches. Remain in me, and I in you - you will bear much fruit. 

Apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

I do a lot of stuff. I work with this student and I meet with that student - I volunteer in this middle school group - I work with this bunch of elementary kids. I do a lot of stuff and I hope that much of it bears fruit. I want to be planting little fruit seeds wherever I go.

The problem is... We love the image of the grapes and the vine and sticking close to the Lord - But we forget the second half of that verse.

Apart from the Lord I can do nothing. Are all my efforts in vain? Am I remaining in the Lord or am I attempting all this "stuff" in my own power? If I'm just a grape out there on my own, trying to make a difference - it will only last for so long. If I don't remain rooted to the vine - I cannot grow and I cannot see growth in others.