Permission To Be Me

Jesus told the disciples:
“I am [is] the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, they will bear much fruit,
for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

Some Ideas to Contemplate:

• In this passage from John, the most mystical of the four main gospel writers, Jesus—Master Mystic, Healer, Teacher, Wayshower—prophesizes, standing on the shoulders of Hebrew prophets Isaiah (Ch. 5) and Ezekiel (Ch. 15), who both equate God (Higher Power, Supreme Energy, Divine Life Essence, etc.) with vines.  As Jesus teaches, vines symbolize our oneness with God.  Because everyone is a child of God, the branches represent the Christ within us, our divine soul essence.  Without our God connection, tuning into the Divine first, we cannot thrive as our radiant soul selves.  

• As we grow in spiritual maturity, we continually deepen our awareness of God’s presence within us.  This practice offers spiritual liberation to progress faithfully, so we claim authority over our lives and permit ourselves to express all we are.  From this consciousness (mindset), we refrain from saying anything we do not wish to affirm, for we believe that we are God-guided and God-directed in all ways.  

• Granting ourselves permission to be all we are is a sacred allowance to live from our own soul essence.  With permission, we often discover a new, loving attitude, a gentle heart, and a peaceful mind.  We gently refine our character flaws, granting ourselves and others grace, no matter what is occurring.  In the process, we model how to be fully divine and fully human, a light unto the world as only we can be, just as Jesus was. 

Practices for the Week:

• Remember: You are a spiritual being with a radiant soul, living in a sacred body temple, having human experiences.  
• Reflect on your identity as one of God’s divine beloveds.
• Illustrate, journal, and/or record some ways you can strengthen your connection to God.
• Then give yourself permission to honor your true nature.

© 2026 – Rev Jenn Sacks – All rights reserved.    

Photo by Mny-Jhee from DepositPhotos.