Apart from me you can do nothing

I think of all the different analogies of needing others. I never truly believed it when I was single, but after being married I realized I needed someone else. I played sports, coached sports and in that arena we are constantly taught that we need each other. You walk into Walmart and you are greeted and given a dried off, cleaned shopping cart because Sam Waldon realized a long time ago that he would make no money without happy customers. We walk through life realizing that we do need the help of others.
Without co-workers our jobs would be much harder, and much more overwhelming. Without customers, our jobs would be for the most part meaningless. Even in Nascar and NHRA racing they realize that without the fans, there would be no sponsors. No company would pay millions of dollars to advertise if there was no one in the stands watching. And if the sponsors weren't putting money into the cars, the teams and the cost of racing then the racers would be without a job. They get that, especially at an NHRA drag racing event the big name celebrity drivers stand for hours each day signing autographs and taking pictures with their fans because they understand the importance. Years ago you could get autographs from pro athletes, but today it is nearly impossible.

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit apart from me you can do nothing.
Jesus shared this verse with us to remind of of 2 things. First off all, we are completely dependent on Him. WIthout a vine supplying nourishment the branches just fade and wither. They can produce no fruit, and without JEsus our lives are the same. Without His saving grace, without His power and love we can do nothing. We might as well be running around in circles or trying to catch air. It won't happen, we need to have His power source, and His love and grace in our lives or we are just plain useless.
Secondly, we cannot bear any fruit unless we acknowledge the vine. Without openly admitting regularly that we don't deserve anything, and openly admitting that we are nothing without Jesus we are not fruitful. It's like I shared last week, when we start thinking we are useful, and important instead of seeking to be used by God we are in deep trouble. We can remain used by God so long as we realize we are simply branches, we are to stay connected to the vine and produce fruit, nothing more nothing less.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!