She’s My Favorite!

I search high and low for her every spring. She’s hard to find as there’s no one like her. This girl needs little attention, but never stops displaying her glory. Her name is Mandevilla, and she’s my favorite!

From spring to late fall, she’s our welcomed guest. Dressed up in the most vibrant colors, little miss loves to show off her stunning beauty. 

If you haven’t guessed, Mandevilla is a flowering vine who wraps herself tightly around every rung of the trellis we provide for her. She pushes herself upward and onward with gusto, gracing the front of our home every year with her elegance. Enduring the heat and storms, Ms. M pulsates with life. I find myself talking to her like a real person, and she seems to respond to my voice. With only a little watering and rearranging of wandering tendrils, she remains attached and flourishing.

It’s hard to believe I’ve become one of those obsessive plant lovers who speaks to foliage. But she’s that important to me. For more than all of the above reasons.

You see, Mandevilla reminds me to cling. It’s how she gets her strength and how I get mine. Clinging is the secret to abundant life that Jesus came to give us all. As we stay attached to Him. 

I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus compares Himself to a vine in scripture. In fact, He often uses nature to illustrate a spiritual principle. He says we can do nothing without living in union with Him. He produces the fruit as we stay attached to the life-giving Vine. But there are times I am like those little wandering shoots, longing to be independent, going it on my own. Until the tender voice of the Holy Spirit pulls me back to where I belong. 

I am the Vine and you are My branches. As you live in union with Me as your Source, fruitfulness will stream from within you. Apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Just as Mandevilla wraps herself around the spindles of her support system, I am reminded to wrap my heart, mind and soul around mine, the True Vine, Jesus Christ. This beautiful creation has shown me that life pulsates with strength and beauty through clinging to the Vine. It’s our choice.

To choose life is to love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and cling to Him. Deuteronomy 30:20

To whom or what are you clinging today. You’ll lose your footing if you’re holding on to comfort or happiness, money, or even people. Don’t cling to what can be shaken. Follow Mandevilla’s lead by clinging to the right foundation. The Bible tells us that God created us to cling to Him like a belt around our waist.

Just as a belt is wrapped tightly around and clings to a person’s waist, so I created Israel and Judah to cling to Me, says the Lord. They were to be My people, My pride, My glory and an honor to My name. Jeremiah 13:11

We are able to honor and display God’s glory when we cling to Him. There’s no other way to bear fruit. Don’t let go of Jesus and His Word. Make Him your priority by remaining in the Vine. Get to know what His Word says and meditate on His promises. Talk to Him throughout your day. Let Him know you’re relying on Him alone. Mandevilla’s secret to her abundant life is in the clinging. Let it be yours, too.