It’s planning season. As churches and ministries wrap up their summers and head into busy fall calendars, many have set aside time to dream and strategize. To evaluate strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. To write out specific, measurable goals. Some don’t enjoy this sort of work, but I’m convinced wise planning and strategizing are ways we reflect God’s glory and wisdom (Eph. 1:4–6; Luke 14:28–32).

Yet, at the same time, I’m often tempted to rely on my plans and strategies more than I rely on the Lord. That’s why I appreciated Rachel Gilson’s recent article for The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. She writes, “If we want to see our neighbors trust in Jesus for salvation, the most important thing we can do is abide in him ourselves.”

Beyond mapping out strategies and initiatives, abiding in Christ involves taking up the means of grace every day and then doing ministry and evangelism out of the overflow. “We can’t authentically offer others what we don’t have,” writes Gilson. “We must live as branches in the vine.” That means we first meditate on God’s Word, commune with his people, and pray in his Spirit. Then we can identify with the hurting, confront the idols of our post-Christian culture, and live in a distinctively Christian way that displays our Savior’s beauty. 

Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Let’s believe those words and do ministry with a posture of dependence on him.

Resting in the Vine,