For the past week or so, I have wanted to write a blog exploring how to stay in the Vine of Jesus; the place where peace and rest resides. Whenever I attempted to begin, I felt discontent, that the effort would not bring satisfaction. A part of me wanted to write it, yet another did not. Something was not quite right.

Most Christian circles are familiar with the phrase ‘to die to self’ or '...die to sin...' (1 Pet 2:24); however, a lot of us do this in our own self-effort. This approach is like a branch trying to prune itself and bear fruit while detached from the vine.

Throughout history, Father God has continuously pursued his people. Beautifully expressed in the first chapter of Ephesians is God’s attitude towards us.

‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves’ (Eph 1:4).