It's true.

I was in a Nerd Gang. For a while growing up I invested a ton of energy and time and turned my back on core values to try to be accepted by a bunch of guys that seemed so cool at the time. Looking back I realize that we were all nerdy kids in advanced Math & English classes, yet we strutted around like hotshots and did a lot of things I'm not proud of.

In John 15, Jesus says,

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings glory to my Father."

I have spent far too much of my life trying to find my identity in people and things that are simply inadequate!

Jesus promises Life! Jesus promises to remain in us and help us become the men and women we were designed to be! Jesus invites us into relationship and a life worth living.

It is very easy for me to forget who I need to be living for... myself or the Lord. I think that when I am at my worst it is often because I am attempting to find my identity apart from God. (My ongoing prayer is that my identity would be so intertwined with the Lord that there would be no difference)

Remain in the Vine. Save yourself head and heartache. We are called to seek the Father and become more and more like Christ so we can continue on the journey before us.