Perhaps you are feeling empty, as if you are only going through the motions in life.  You may have tried all that the world offers for fulfillment and excitement.  But you’ve discovered that it is all a one-night high, a fleeting pleasure, temporary happiness.  Then, you’re back to the empty, going-through-the-motions existence.  You want more.  You need more meaning and purpose. 

 

Jesus once said, “I have come that you may life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  In other words, there is a kind of life, a quality of life that you can have with Jesus that is more complete, fulfilling, meaningful…vibrant.  It isn’t a perfect, problem free life.  And it isn’t merely taking a class on spirituality, joining a religious organization, or showing up an hour a week for church.  Rather it is a relationship with Jesus, a life-long adventure being led and resourced by God, growing toward a more complete, fulfilling, meaningful, vibrant life, hopelessly dependent on God and wholly devoted to serve. 

 

So, how does that happen?  Jesus said, “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit” (John 15:5).  To put it another way, it is like a seedling that grows, despite drought and storm, to bear abundant fruit because has the right nutrients and environment. 

 

Similarly we need the right nutrients and environment to help us grow spiritually in our relationship with Jesus.