I'll fix this myself!

Without Jesus, we can do nothing.

Remember Peter? Big mouth, cocky, problem-solver. He'll take care of it. Dominant? Ehhm, I suspect so.

At least that's how we meet him in this part of The Chosen. He doesn't need any help. He'll do it himself. Problems pile up but he goes on trying to save himself until he almost drowns in his problems. He needs a miracle to still get out of it, and tries to pull off that "miracle" himself.

Typical Peter.

But isn't Peter somewhere in all of us?

First, we try to fix things ourselves, with our own plans, in our own strength. And then when things really don't work out, we seek help from God.

I think the lesson from this part of The Chosen and the application of the verse from John 15 is that we really need Jesus – in everything. Very simple really, but how far removed from that is the practice of my life.

By the way, John 15 gives us the immediate solution: we must "abide in Him." To remain connected to Jesus.

Just as a vine will immediately wither without connection to the vine, we too will immediately be powerless and unable to bear fruit if we are disconnected from Jesus.

You can make that very concrete for yourself. The next time you think, "I'll fix this myself," ask yourself, "Am I doing this out of my connection with Jesus, or am I acting apart from Him?" That simple question will help you go back to Jesus and ask Him for help.

Questions to think about:

• Do you recognize yourself in Peter?
• What do you do at times when things go wrong?
• How can you stay "in Jesus"?
• Who can you help to stay "in Jesus"?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I am more like Peter than I might like to admit to myself. I do so much in my own strength, and to be honest, I'm tired of it. Lord, I want to go in Your strength. I want to live in connection with You. Here are my problems <name them specifically>. Will You show me the way in this? I want to follow You and recognize "without You I can do nothing." Amen.