Day 5: Purpose is the Fruit, Not the Root

Scripture: John 15:4,11

“Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me... These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

Purpose is not something you achieve.
It’s something that grows naturally when you're rooted in the right place.

Jesus didn’t say, “Go and bear fruit so I’ll remain in you.”
He said, “Remain in me... and you will bear much fruit.”

So many of us reverse that order.
We try to do more in hopes of finally being enough.
We push ourselves to be productive, hoping that fruitfulness will lead to purpose, and purpose to joy.

But Jesus flips that:
Start with connection.
Stay close. Abide. Live from your union with Him.
Then—and only then—comes fruit. Then comes direction. Then comes joy made full.

You weren’t made to manufacture purpose.
You were made to remain.

Joy is not the result of productivity.
Joy is the result of presence—God’s presence alive in you.
And when joy grows, so does everything else.

Centering Prayer

Jesus,
Help me stop striving for purpose like it’s something outside of me.
Remind me that You are the vine—I am the branch.
Let fruitfulness flow naturally as I remain in You.
Make my joy full and let my life bring You glory. Amen.

Practice for Today

Where have you been striving to produce instead of remaining in God's presence?
Today, pause your effort and refocus on connection.
Take 3 minutes to simply sit quietly with Jesus—no agenda, just presence.
Say:
“I am the branch. You are the vine. I choose to remain.”

Journaling Prompt

Where in my life am I trying to earn significance through performance?
How might my purpose change if I lived from connection instead of ambition?

Closing Blessing

Remain.
Stay connected.
Stop chasing purpose and start abiding in presence.
Let joy rise from your rootedness.
Let fruit grow from your stillness.
You were never meant to force it—you were made to bear it.

Pray as You Go

Inhale: You are the vine…
Exhale: …and I will remain.