Life in the Vine
Sensing an urgency to commit to increased devotional time, I began considering my juggling act with relationship, work, web site, and ministry. There simply are not enough hours in a day to meet the demands in this temporal world which we occupy.
Agendas for rightly dividing my time are seldom met and best intentions are seldom realized. Much like Paul, in the Book of Romans, I assessed my propensity to fall short. Pondering this issue, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me. He countered my issues with time with a whole new paradigm shift.
"It is not time lost with you that I grieve, for I am eternal and so is our relationship," He spoke. "In perspective these are but brief fleeting moments."
He continued, "Our relationship is more accurately measured in distance not in time. For the branch, when it is disconnected from the vine, there is no life. I desire that there would be no distance."
Then He reminded me of truth that I, too often, take for granted in our relationship. It was not something that I did not know but an illustration that made the concept far more of a reality.
He said, "A branch that lies close to the vine, but remains disconnected by an inch or even a centimeter, from the tree, cannot receive the life that is in the vine. It is only a matter of time before it withers and dies."
He continued saying, "The branch must remain in the vine to sustain life and flourish. Even this day you are fully grafted into the vine. You are in Me and I am in you as I am in the Father and the Father in me. This is the mystery of true life. Remain in the vine."
It was then that I realized that although He is always with me and never leaves me, I disconnect by shutting Him out of my busyness at times. I go it as though alone, without inviting His presence into my every situation. Drawing His life into the things of this world, that I must also tend, keeps me connected, so that I do not do business in this world as the Lone Ranger.
I responded, "Thank you, Lord that you care so much for me, personally, and that you care so much for your children, that your ever watchful eyes are continually on each of us. You will not allow one of us to fall by the way side for you are ever vigilant in your love for us. You are always drawing me back to your love when I wander astray."
He replied, "Little one, the things of this world are temporal. I am eternal. Whatever is temporal is dying and decaying. What is eternal is abundant life. The true vine is eternal and it is your life source. It will never die or see decay."
He began to liken my spirit being connected to His Spirit to being similar to a battery connected to the charger, which continually sustains the life of the battery, without the power ever being diminished.
His plan is to constantly sustain us, so we are not depleted by the demands of this life. His desire is that we would flourish and abound.
Finally, He said, "It is not my selfish whim to demand your time and your fellowship, although I cherish you. But it is my deep desire to cause you to prosper in all of your ways. Full of life you will abound. Fully connected to the vine you will prosper."
How can I succeed in the beautiful destiny He has laid out before me when I am disconnected from the very source of that life?
How can I find my way in His great plan for me when my spiritual eyes are growing dim?
How can I be a light to the darkened world around me when I am not connected to the very source of Light Himself?
How can I empower change in this world when I have become disconnected even a centimeter from the power source?
This is not about "X" number of Bible chapters read a day, or "X" number of hours or minutes in prayer. This is not at all about works.
This is about practicing His presence in all of my situations, whether at work or with family or at the market.
This is about partnering with Him throughout my day and inviting His perspectives and input into everything and enjoying the friendship that he has freely provided for me.
This is about allowing Him the opportunity and space for the companionship He paid for with His very life.
This is about me being aware of His presence with me and available to His presence through me.
This is about me resigning from the role of the Lone Ranger as I walk through my day.
This is about me accepting His offer to change me and align me with His priorities and about Him empowering those changes in me. 
This all about His great love for me and wanting me to thrive in all things.
How very gracious and full of mercy He is to strive with us that He may prosper us! How willing He is to shower us with His generosity and blessings! How patient He is to keep drawing us back to His fountain for yet one more cup of loving kindness! What an awesome God we serve!
Although they are personal dialogues between the Lord and myself, I am acutely aware that He is no respecter of persons and His heart for you is no different than His heart for me. These passages although spoken to me, are yours to take and embrace and find encouragement in as well. The personal and intimate nature of these dialogues is sometimes difficult to display publicly. However, if it encourages you to seek your own intimate relationship with the One, who loves you so passionately, that He was willing to give His life for you, it is worth any embarrassment to me. Be encouraged by this to listen and experience your own dialogue with God. He is anxious for your company in the secret place.
