“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” (John 15:5, New International Version).
What does it mean to be rooted in something greater than us? Upon reading this scripture, I feel as though l have gained a major piece of my identity — a missing piece of a puzzle I have spent my whole life thirsting for. This idea of being rooted in the vine encapsulates more than just the mere sighting of a tree. Rather, it describes a connection — a loving, gracious, life giving, freeing connection. So free that even the birds will perch in its branches. How free is that? That even the birds whose wings provide them with an unlimited source of freedom still depend on the vine.
As John 15 states, those of us who are connected to the vine are classified as branches. As a branch, we cannot function apart from the vine because it provides the structural support, nutrients, stability and life-giving properties to produce fruit that we need.
As I reflect on my past life apart from the vine, I think about the many days I was wrapped in confusion and emptiness overtook me. Each moment felt like I was thrown into deep waters without the ability to swim. Navigating life felt like driving in the fog, proceeding in fear of the obstacles I might face. I would stumble upon mountains too big for me to conquer on my own which led me into deep valleys of depression and anxiety. In those valleys I found no one, so I turned to my inner self. Needless to say that was a constant war between my mind and my heart that further developed into insecurity and low self-esteem. I looked to people for a sense of self — on a quest of inclusion and acceptance which led to endless cycles of people-pleasing. Oh, how I despised those cycles. I would pour so much of myself into people who I later learned would never be satisfied. I could give them the world and still they needed more, leaving me feeling drained. Every sacrifice felt like throwing pebbles into a bottomless well, my efforts swallowed without acknowledgment. I felt lost.
It was in those depths that I began to thirst for something more — a foundation that wouldn’t break me, but only reminded me of my strength and resilience. It was at that moment that I was introduced to the vine offering me comfort and nutrients to revive those dead areas of my heart. This journey has opened my eyes to the truth and what it truly means to be loved. Love that doesn’t drain: rather it sustains, providing hope. Those very roads I used to fear, I now navigate in faith because I realize that being rooted in the vine means that I’m not doing life on my own. There’s someone far stronger, wiser, gracious and dependable than I am: Jesus.
Cierra Everett Is a 4th Year Psychology Major (NABJ’s Programs Coordinator)