Are You Striving or Abiding This Season?

New seasons bring new rhythms and schedules, and as we walk into September, perhaps you find yourself right in the middle of the shift. Your week might be full of back-to-school shopping and making sure you have every item on the list. Maybe you’re soaking up every bit of summer you possibly can before a new schedule takes over, or perhaps you’re simply breathing a sigh of relief for a fresh start. Regardless of where you stand, September tends to feel like a natural reset in the year; a time to prepare for what’s ahead. But as our routines change, it can be easy to let life just happen to us and lose our spiritual footing in the busyness.

In Galatians 5:16, the apostle Paul offers an antidote, which is to “walk by the Spirit.” He goes on to contrast a life driven by our own desires with one led by God, explaining that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). When our calendars get crowded, we often try to manufacture those qualities through our own willpower. We try to force ourselves to be patient with our kids or to muster up joy when we’re exhausted. But as we heard this weekend: you don’t grow fruit by trying harder; you grow fruit by staying connected.

As we navigate this transitional season, let’s set our attention on the vine that is Jesus. Let’s choose to abide rather than strive, determine our “big rocks,” and trust the process of fruit growing, even if it seems slow.

Abide, Don’t Strive

John 15:5 says, “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.”

We need Jesus. A branch doesn’t generate fruit by its own strength. Rather, a branch draws the appropriate strength, nourishment, protection, and energy from the vine, and the vine provides absolutely everything the branch needs to bear fruit. Likewise, Jesus provides everything that we need to be loving, joyful, peaceful, and so on.

There is a deep trust required to say, “Okay Jesus, I am going to put you first in my schedule.” But as you trust Him and abide in the vine, fruit grows! And this fruit that the apostle Paul is talking about isn’t produced based on how long you’ve been a Christian or by willing yourself to grow it. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is a natural byproduct of spending time with Jesus. Reading the Bible, going to church, finding a Life Group, or listening to worship music on your commute—each of these is a practical way to abide in this season.

What is one step you can take this week to abide and not strive?

Determine Your “Big Rocks”

There is an analogy called “The Big Rocks” that was popularized by Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It is an illustration that uses a jar (your time), big rocks (your highest priorities and core values), pebbles (secondary priorities—things that hold weight but aren’t core), and sand and water (extras that seem urgent but aren’t). The whole point of the illustration is to show that when we place our priorities on the wrong things, our jar becomes full, leaving no time for our highest priorities. Most of us accidentally fill our jars with sand first. We react to notifications or tackle easy tasks to feel productive, but this leaves no space for the most important things—the big rocks. However, when we place the big rocks in first, and then add the pebbles, the sand, and the water, you find that your capacity to “fit” it all in becomes much more likely and effective.

Have you ever taken a moment to consciously determine what your big rocks are? Some examples include your relationship with Jesus (church, daily devotions, Life Groups) and your family (your spouse, kids, parents, intentional time together). When you identify what your highest priorities are, it helps as you make decisions about what to say yes and no to, ensuring that the busyness of the season doesn’t crowd out what matters most.

Trust the Process of Fruit Growth

As you learn to abide and prioritize in this season, one thing you may notice is that the fruit might not grow overnight. But slow growth doesn’t mean no growth!

It reminds me of when my mom started taking my four siblings and me to church. At that time, I was a high school student playing high-level competitive soccer, and up to that point in our lives, Sundays had primarily revolved around my soccer games. But as my mom began to experience the transformative work of Jesus in her life, the shift from Sundays being about Ale’s soccer to Sundays being for Jesus and for church became more and more apparent. I wish I could say that I was on board from the get-go, but I gave my mom a hard time. I would show up to church fully decked out in my soccer uniform (minus the cleats) so I was ready to be on the pitch as soon as service was finished. I would complain if my mom was taking too long saying goodbye or cleaning up, especially if it looked like I was going to be late for my warm-up. At the time, I couldn’t see the fruit that was being produced by my mom holding firm to her convictions. I didn’t realize that staying connected to the vine was something God was working out for my good, too. The fruit of my mom’s patience and faithfulness wasn’t obvious from the beginning, but looking back twenty years later, it is so clear. Because she stood firm to prioritize church (even amidst a busy schedule and five children), the fruit produced during that season resulted in five kids who now love Jesus and are walking with Him.

The Next Step

As Pastor Dave recently reminded us: “The Christian life is not about trying harder to become a better version of yourself. It is about learning to walk with the Holy Spirit… You just need to take the next step.”

As you walk into this new season, what is a “next step” you sense the Lord encouraging you to take? You don’t have to overhaul your entire routine today. Perhaps it’s carving out ten quiet minutes to abide with Jesus before the morning rush. Or perhaps it means reprioritizing the “big rocks” in your calendar before it accidentally fills up with sand. Whatever it may be, the Holy Spirit is inviting you to simply stay connected to the vine, because it is only in that place of daily connection that you will produce much fruit over a lifetime.

Psalm 92:12-14 “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.”

Dear Jesus, as we choose to place You first this Fall, help us to slow down and stay closely connected to the vine. Give us the wisdom to protect our big rocks and let our lives bear much fruit for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.