One of the most instantly rewarding household chores has got to be vacuuming. In just a few minutes, I can run my vacuum over my living room rug, and it can go from dirty and dusty to clean. When I take off the canister to empty what I’ve collected through the brushes and hoses of my machine, there’s a satisfying cloud of debris dumped into the trash can. But the only way I’ll experience that good feeling of accomplishment is if my vacuum is actually plugged into the outlet in the wall. That efficient machine only works if it’s connected to a power source.

Thousands of years ago, Jesus took his closest friends on a walk just hours before He would be arrested, tried, beaten and eventually crucified. As they made their way to a garden, He took that opportunity to tell them the importance of being connected to the greatest source of power in the universe.

We can’t know for sure, but it’s possible that Jesus and His apostles stopped by, or at least walked past, the temple before crossing the Kidron Valley to get to an olive grove called Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. It’s evident that Jesus loved the temple, so it makes sense for Him to stop by the beautiful building, knowing what was coming in just a few hours. Maybe Jesus pointed out the golden grapevine decorations, like on the columns and above the curtain at the entrance to the Holy Place where there was a gigantic grapevine of pure gold meant to depict Israel.

Whatever prompted Jesus to think of a vine, He told his friends, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15)

Those who have gardens know that there are times when their plants need pruning. They trim branches so they’ll be more fruitful and cut off dead branches that are dried out. Each branch isn’t completely removed, but everything gets pruned to a certain extent. This doesn’t happen every day—there are seasons for cutting and planting. There are times when it’s good to cut things back and plant new things, and there are bad times for this. It depends a lot on the plants, but a master gardener knows exactly when to act.

You may be in a painful pruning season right now, but don’t let that hurt your feelings. God is doing something in you, through you, and around you to make you more fruitful. In fact, we’re told to consider it pure joy when we suffer. But how can we be joyful in that season? The key is in Jesus’ words. “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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Until I’m ready to humble myself enough to admit that I’m wholly dependent on Jesus, I’m not going to produce the bounty of fruit that this connection to Jesus could actually yield. Since I’m a branch in this scenario—dead and dried up if separated from the vine—I have to ask: “What is my vine? Where am I expecting to get my strength and wisdom?” It can’t be from my family or my job or hobbies or bank account or outward appearance. I have to stay connected to the One who provides all that I need. “Remain in me,” Jesus said, “as I also remain in you.”