The Discipline of Staying Close

Read

John 15:5 "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."

Think

We don't often think of connection as a discipline. We think of habits. Structure. Willpower. But connection? That feels passive. Emotional. Accidental, even. But according to Jesus, one of the most intentional disciplines in the life of faith is remaining. Staying connected to him, like a branch stays connected to the vine.

This is where fruit comes from. Not from striving. Not from religious effort. From staying close.

But here's the problem: staying close doesn't always come naturally. Life pulls us in a thousand directions—some loud, some subtle. Our schedules are packed, our minds distracted, our emotions worn thin. We're constantly tempted to drift into distraction, to power through on our own, or to save God-time for when everything else is done.

Jesus says clearly: apart from me, you can do nothing. That's not a scolding—it's a rescue. It's not a reprimand for being busy; it's a reminder of where life actually comes from. It's him saying, "You don't have to white-knuckle your way to peace. You don't have to manufacture love or force joy. Stay with me. Let it grow from there."

Think about how a branch bears fruit. It doesn't hustle. It doesn't impress. It just abides. It stays put. It draws life from the source. And that kind of rootedness takes intention. It takes a rhythm of returning—again and again—not because we have to, but because we get to.

And here's where the shift happens: when you treat connection like a discipline, you start making space for it. You build your day around presence, not performance. You stop waiting to feel spiritual before opening your Bible. You pause to pray even when it feels awkward or rushed. You show up—not perfectly, but faithfully.

The truth is, the longer we stay disconnected, the more we feel the pressure to perform. To fake it. To compensate. We strive to look fruitful while running on empty. But Jesus never asked us to force fruit. He asked us to remain. Don't detach when life gets loud. Don't isolate when you feel weak. Keep showing up. Keep leaning in.

The branch doesn't bear fruit because it's impressive. It bears fruit because it's attached. Because it's close. The discipline is in the choice to return again. To linger. To listen. To invite Jesus into both the mess and the mundane.

And here's the promise: the one who remains in him will bear fruit. Not might. Will. Not because you worked harder. But because you stayed close.

Apply

Today, choose one real, ordinary moment to practice staying close. Not in theory, but in action. Pause for 30 seconds before your next meeting and ask Jesus to guide it. Turn your next walk or drive into a prayer. Put down your phone and ask someone a deeper question. Let nearness be the goal.

Pray

Jesus, I want to live connected to you. Not just when I need something, but all the time. Teach me to remain in you—not through effort, but through trust. Help me notice when I'm drifting and bring me back quickly. Let your presence be my source of peace, strength, and fruit that lasts. In Jesus' name. Amen.