The Vine: August 12, 2026
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
Our fresh take on The Vine, a devotional based on the upcoming Sunday’s sermon. This is a tool for you to dive deep into specific verses of scripture and get acquainted with spiritual practices. This iteration of The Vine pairs perfectly with the pastors’ “First Glance Podcast.” The Vine: First Glance Podcast is when the pastors sit down to discuss the scripture for the upcoming sermon. It is a wonderful opportunity to prepare your mind and heart for the week ahead. We invite you to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week.
“The one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Michelangelo was only 26 years old when he was commissioned to create his most famous sculpture, David. He was given a six-ton block of marble 17 feet tall that two other sculptors had chipped, chiseled, and ultimately deemed unworkable. Michelangelo saw something in the marble that others had not. He wrote, “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there—I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” Michelangelo saw what no one else could and called forth what was hidden within.
John Wesley taught that grace works in the same way in our lives, calling forth the image of God within us—God is not remaking us from scratch. He is uncovering what sin and brokenness have buried. Wesley called this sanctifying grace: the patient, lifelong work of God shaping us more and more into the image of Christ.
This work begins even before we are aware. Like the Spirit of God moving over the barren earth before creation, God moves across our lives to bring forth something new. That same Spirit awakens our souls, stirs our longing, and begins the slow and holy work of formation—long before we even think to ask for it.
While it took Michelangelo three years to complete David, God shapes our souls over a lifetime. He uses people, circumstances, and experiences to patiently chisel away the things that keep us from living fully as His beloved children. Our Father is the Divine Artist who sees something in us no one else does—and calls it forth.
By grace.
Spiritual Practice: The Examen
Sit quietly for five minutes and review your day with God. Ask two questions: Where did I sense God shaping me today? Where did I pull back? The Examen trains us to notice the chisel moving—slowly, faithfully, one day at a time.
One Thing: Cooperate with the chisel
Identify one area of your life where you sense God is still at work—a habit, a fear, a pattern of thinking that does not belong to the person you are becoming. Pray a simple prayer of cooperation this week: “Have your way, Lord. Keep working.”
PREVIOUS WEEKS
To view all previous devotions go to https://fumc-rr.org/the-vine