John 15:1-6

John 15:1-6
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 

  Often when companies have very successful portions, those will be split off into their own companies.  They can then continue their growth as their own entity, unencumbered by ties to the parent company that may have been restraining them.
  Jesus teaches us that, as Christians, we need a different mentality.  When we're successful, it's easy to start taking credit for that and looking at other ties as restraints holding you back.  If you do this, however, you forget about the very thing that provides you life.  If you're a vine and you forget the crucial link back to the life-giving roots and try and strike out on your own, you'll soon discover that the real source of life is not self-provided, but comes from the branch.
  We need Jesus.  We can't live or thrive without him. Jesus invites us to dwell in the certainty of his grace.  The hard part is that to truly thrive, we'll be pruned every now and again.  This won't be easy -- and when it comes, we may start to blame the one who prunes us, not understanding that the pruning is crucial for our long-term sustained growth.
  So may we remember our roots, the source of our life, and look at the times of pruning as opportunities to continue to grow in the Spirit.