Ivy is known to climb and cling. It can be destructive if not handle properly. On the flip side it can keep walls dry and provide insulation. When removed it leaves scars so to speak, patterns, like a shadow of where it had been.

In this world we cling to many things.We can become so attached that we become part of what we are clinging to. As a bit of “ivy” we think we are beautifying, supporting, or even insulating that to which we cling. And for a bit of time this may well be.

We may think, “I need to attach myself to this or that and I will grow strong, wiser, wealthier.” Or we let others cling to us, blocking out who we are, and losing sight of our goals. We can continually and mistakenly cling to things of this world, and not what we should truly be clinging to.

^““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “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. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

In the case of Christ, clinging to Him creates in us the desire to hold tight. From Him we receive all we need; support, sustenance, and stability. He prunes and shapes us into that for which He created us. To show others of His love, His care and His compassion.

Am I clinging to Christ, or am I clinging to the things of this world? In all honesty, I have one hand in the world and the other grasping at God. It is time to let go, and cling to what is good, and all else will fall into place.

In His Name, Amen.