What Is Your Secret?

STAY CONNECTED (John 15:5)

The church I pastor has been growing rapidly over the past two months. In fact, all of June and July we’ve had way more in attendance than most churches will ever see on any Easter Sunday. I had a gentlemen recently ask, “What is your secret to success?”

From the look on his face I’m not sure I gave the answer he was expecting. I imagine he was waiting to hear me spit out some magic formula or profound insight never spoken. Honestly, I’ve never been someone who was sophisticated or eloquent with my words. But, here was my response.

I told him I’ve found that the key to doing God’s work is for it to come out of the overflow of your heart. You can’t take anyone where you aren’t headed. People need to see you living for Jesus, honest in all you do, and sincerely caring about what’s going on in their life.

I told him the biggest key to making a difference period is making sure you stay close to God’s heart. Reading His word, listening for His voice and obeying His every command. Scripture is clear without a close relationship with Jesus none of us can do anything. Disconnecting from Jesus is like unplugging an electrical appliance. You nor that appliance can do anything without staying connected to the right power source.

Every time we try to march to the beat of our own drum things fall apart. However, if we stay connected to Jesus he gives us strength, direction, and grants us success. Scripture is clear that apart from Jesus we can do nothing.

I’ve had this verse written in the front of my bible for years. But, it’s taken a lot of high mileage on many rough roads for me to fully know that it’s the key to any of us becoming all God created us to be.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”(John 15:5)