During Jesus’ last night with His disciples before He died, one of the many things He spoke to them was this message of remaining in Him:

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

• John 15:1-8

If we remain in Him, we will not only thrive, but we will also bear fruit. If we don’t remain in Him, like a branch removed from a vine, we wither. Like a branch cut off from the vine, we can’t do a thing. Relying on our own efforts won’t get us anywhere. Have you ever seen a broken branch grow anything? If it does, it’s rare, and a miracle. Everything we do, all we are, is totally dependent on Him.

Your mission: Look at where you may be striving in your own efforts rather than relying on God. Ask Him to help you rely on and remain in Him.