ABIDING IN JESUS
ADDICTION
«l 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»(John 15:5).
Codependency is a problem that has often been associated with addictions.
Quite often, a close family member like the mother, father, spouse, brother or friend, ends up suffering codependency in their intent to support the loved one who is trapped in drugs, alcohol or other type of addiction. This bond is not healthy for the relationship, as the codependent not only invests time and effort but also neglects self and obstructs the rehabilitation by being convinced that his way of helping is the best. And thus he rejects any suggestion of change.
In practice, the codependent focuses on the addict in such a way that he or she ends u controlling and manipulating the addicted person. prevents the addict from developing his own resources to deal with his situation. This is a clear example of a relationship that impedes the solution of addiction problems.
Today’s text suggests the opposite pole of codependency. It presents a secure and reliable partnership, and it reminds us that we can obtain positive results toward our liberation only with Jesus. Furthermore, any solution that has its origin in Jesus will be efficient and full of love as this is His nature (l John 4:8). The image of the grapevine and the vine shoots (fresh buds of the vine) is very useful in order to understand the extremely powerful energy that comes from the trunk (Jesus, the true vine) and, at the same time, the fragile nature of the young buds or shoots (the disciple of Jesus).
Hampton Court Palace, in the surrounding area of London, has survived many royal dynasties and its origins dates to the thirteenth century. In 1769, Lancelot Brown planted a grapevine in the gardens of the palace. «This plant still exists today and it produces an exquisite variety of sweet black grapes known as «dessert grapes. The perimeter of the main trunk is 4 meters and the longest vine (which used to be the shoot) is thirty-six meters. According to the website of the British Royal Palaces Historic Royal Palaces, the average annual crop of this grapevine is 272 kg, having reached in 2001 the best crop in history: 383 kg of grapes.
Even if you feel fragile like a gentle shoot, by the power of Jesus, you can free yourself of any addiction and become strong and big like the branch of this vine. By following the promise of Jesus, you could bear «much fruit» so others can benefit from your influence.
#AdultsDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Yudith C & Alejandra Zavala