Cucumber Vine and Abiding in Christ
John 15:5 calls us to abide in Christ the true vine, in order to bear fruit. Emily Seck encourages us with her artwork of the cucumber vine — a plant that grows best when it clings to a support.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
(John 15:5)
For this artwork, I chose the cucumber vine, a familiar tropical plant that grows quickly and bears fruit when it clings firmly to its support. It is a simple but vivid picture of what it means to abide in Christ.
Many of us try to manage life on our own strength. Whether it is at work, in our families, or in ministry, we often tell ourselves, “I can handle this.” Yet Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing.
To abide in Christ is to stay connected to Him, to draw daily from His Word, His presence, and His Spirit. It is to trust Him in our work, our families, and our relationships, to surrender what is beyond our control, and to rest in His grace when we fall short.
Just as the vine supplies everything the branch needs to bear fruit, Christ provides what we need to live fruitfully for His glory. When we abide in Him, our lives begin to reflect His love, patience, kindness, and peace. These fruits are not achieved by effort alone but grow naturally from a life rooted in Him.
May this artwork remind us to cling closely to Christ, our true source of life. Apart from Him, our striving is empty, but with Him, even the smallest acts of faithfulness can grow into something beautiful and lasting.
Click on the image to download a copy! Feel free to use on your phones as a wallpaper.