The Word in the Wings
The Word in the Wings > The Sweetgum and the Savior
The Sweetgum and the Savior
By: Rachel Noonan
Think of a time when you felt peace—a moment when your muscles relaxed and your mind wasn’t racing. A time when you sat still while the world around you continued to move. Hold onto that feeling. It’s a glimpse of what Christ offers when we lean into Him.
Leaning into Jesus requires dependence and trust. It’s like being blindfolded and falling, confident that He will catch us. In John 15:5 (NASB), Jesus says: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
When we stay connected to Him—the life-giving vine—He continually nourishes us. That nourishment transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to bear fruit in our lives.
This reminds me of the sweetgum tree. At first glance, it’s not a favorite among homeowners. In the fall, its seed pods—often called “gumballs”—scatter across the yard, making lawn maintenance a hassle. Yet in nature, these trees serve a vital purpose. Their seed pods provide food for birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and other wildlife. In turn, those animals help spread the tree’s seeds into fertile soil.
Our relationship with Jesus mirrors the sweetgum tree’s relationship with the animals that feed on it. Just as many overlook the sweetgum tree, the world often disregards Jesus, not fully understanding His love. But the “gumballs” Jesus gives—His Word, His peace, His provision—are what nourish us. Like the animals, we are sustained by Him.
...he is the vine, pouring his life into us...
And just as those animals spread the tree’s seeds, we too are called to “bear more fruit” (John 15:2, NASB). The nourishment Christ provides doesn’t end with us. As we grow in Him, others can see His presence in our lives and are drawn to His love. His seeds continue to spread through us.
Though it’s not a perfect comparison, this illustrates what it means to lean into Jesus. He invites us to seek Him for spiritual nourishment and fulfillment, which He freely gives. He is the vine, pouring His life into us, enabling us to blossom.
In John 15:11, Jesus concludes His teaching about the vine with these words: “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
This joy is not mere happiness or the guarantee of good circumstances. It is a deep, abiding spiritual joy that endures even through pain and heartache.
All we have to do is lean into Christ. As we do, God lovingly prunes us, providing exactly what we need to grow. In Him, we find peace, joy, and a fulfillment the world cannot offer.
