There are moments when life looks fine on the outside—but inside, something feels off.
You’re still showing up. Still doing what needs to be done. Yet your spirit feels thin, tired, or distant.
That feeling has a name.
It’s often not rebellion or failure—it’s disconnection.
And Jesus speaks directly to it.
“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.” — John 15:5 (NIV)
What “the Root Source” really means
In Christian faith, the root source of life isn’t energy, intuition, or self-discovery.
It is God Himself—and our connection to God is through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit.
To “connect to the root source” means returning to:
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God as your life, not just your helper
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God as your peace, not just your problem-solver
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God as your strength, not something you replace with effort or control
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about remaining.
Striving vs. remaining
Many women live spiritually exhausted lives because they’re striving when Jesus is inviting them to abide.
Striving says:
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“Try harder.”
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“Be better.”
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“Fix yourself.”
Abiding says:
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“Stay close.”
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“Receive.”
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“Let life flow.”
A branch doesn’t produce fruit by force.
It bears fruit because it’s connected.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” — John 15:4 (NIV)
Read Scripture
Read John 15:1–8 (NIV)
As you read, notice how often Jesus repeats the word remain.
The Vine and the Branches
15 “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 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.
Ask yourself:
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Where have I been running on empty?
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What have I been drawing from instead of God—busyness, approval, worry, control?
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What would remaining look like today in one small, honest way?
Read Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV)
Spiritual Fullness in Christ
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
You didn’t come to Christ by striving—and you don’t stay connected by striving either.
You stay rooted by trust.
Read Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV)
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Roots are quiet. Hidden. Unimpressive to the eye.
But they determine whether you survive the heat.
Signs you may be disconnected
Disconnection can show up as:
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Irritability or numbness
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Scattered thoughts
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Constant tension
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Loss of joy
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Coping instead of resting
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Feeling far from God, even while believing in Him
This isn’t condemnation.
It’s an invitation.
Simple ways to reconnect today
Choose one. Keep it gentle.
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One prayer:
“Jesus, I’ve been living from my own strength. I return to You.” -
One verse:
Write John 15:5 somewhere visible. Read it slowly today. -
One quiet minute:
Hand on your heart. Slow breath. Whisper, “I remain.” -
One release:
Name what you’ve been gripping—and place it back in God’s hands.
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are my Source and my life. Forgive me for the ways I try to live disconnected from You. Teach me to remain—not in striving, but in trust. Let Your Spirit restore what feels dry and steady what feels fragile. Grow fruit in me that I cannot produce on my own.
I choose connection over control today.
In Your Name, amen.
Republished with Permission
Peggy Kennedy is a Christian writer and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) who writes commentary and devotional encouragement rooted in Scripture. She is the cofounder of The Esther 414 Foundation and Queens Gate and serves in nonprofit leadership, helping causes she cares about strengthen their message and expand their Kingdom impact.
