Apples and Oranges are Actually the Same

"I am the vine, you ARE the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."
--John 15: 5-7

What I find to be so important in this passage, is the notion that we are all connected. We wake up, shower, brush our teeth, dress, make ourselves breakfast, start the car, drive to work, and go on with our daily tasks feeling mostly independent, though we are so unknowingly dependent each step of the way.

First, we can only wake up at the proper time if by chance, or if our alarm clock works effectively. The alarm clock that wakes us was indeed designed and made by the hands of another human being, who we will most certainly never meet, or sadly, even acknowledge.

Then, we can only shower because of the resources of water (the men and women at the city or county water department), soap (the men and women at the soap factory), shampoo and conditioner (the men and women at the shampoo company), and the washcloth (the men and women at the fabric company).

When we brush our teeth, how often do we think of the men and women who created the toothpaste and toothbrush we use?

When we get dressed, do we ever consciously give thanks to the men and women who labored to sew and hem the garments we wear?

Even if we bow our heads to give thanks to God for the food at our breakfast table, do we take into mind those wonderful beings who grew the food, packaged the food, transported the food?

As we utilize our mode of transportation, do we focus more on what the car is not (a fancier, more sleek and powerful vehicle) or do we appreciate what it is, and the men and women who devote most of their lives to design and construct the vehicle that is doing what we ask of it?

When we drive to work, or elsewhere, do we become unnecessarily angry by the stoplights which impede our path, or are we mindful enough to appreciate that someone invented a device that keeps us from crashing into other vehicles?

The list could go on forever, and that is the point. We become so wrapped up in ourselves, as the only piece of fruit, that we forget to acknowledge that we are a part of God's vine. Without the vine, there is no fruit. Without God, there is no "us". One small bunch of grapes does not yield a full bottle of wine. Rather, many bunches, growing and sharing the vine together makes the bottle of wine. And that can be said about anything, literally.

No single grape will ever grow or even exist without the vine first. No single apple will ever grow or even exist without the tree first. Neither can we, nor do we.

Love and God Forever,
Anthony Paul