The Peak of Productivity

S - "Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire. Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you." John 15 TS

O - The world (secular and religious) tends to be focused on productivity (fruitfulness) and dedicating all one's effort and energies to that end. Jesus says, please don't do it! Instead, focus your energies on intentionally staying connected to me … and you won't be able to miss. The fruitfulness Jesus is referencing is not limited in scope or category. It is not reserved exclusively to internal, spiritual dynamics. While such will be a part of  every productive outcome his followers engage, he clearly says "ask for whatever you want." A productivity without him ends in fire and futility. Connected to him the possibilities are limitless.

A - My religious/theological training taught me to see these words of Jesus as only related to matters pertaining to the same. While he said ask anything he only "meant" that in that limited context. Jesus is leading and teaching me something very different. His life and the lives of his followers demonstrated something unrestrained in application. Not just inner peace, prayer and teaching but wine for weddings, fishing excursions and paying taxes are included. I am accepting both the person and teaching of Jesus … unto the fruitfulness heaven already has in mind … exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine (Matthew 17:20; Ephesians 3:20).

P - Lord of heaven and earth,

I want and need to stay joined to you and for YOUR coaching, instruction to become a part of me … into transformed thinking, living and loving. I admit that the choice of where to focus my energies is mine. I also admit that in choosing as you say it will be impossible for me to sustain without direct and ongoing help from your Spirit. I choose you and rely on your help unto all you already have in mind.

Committed to you and to asking anything,

Steve