Rooted & Refreshed
Your Worth Is Not in What You Produce
“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
Let’s get honest for a minute.
Most of us don’t even realize how deeply we tie our worth to our work—until the work slows down or falls apart. Whether it’s ministry, motherhood, leadership, or everyday life, we tend to measure our value by how much we accomplish.
We say things like:
“If I can just get through this list...”
“If I can keep it all running...”
“If I don’t let anyone down...”
We chase the feeling of enoughness, but it never stays for long.
The Lie that Hustle equals Worth
Somewhere along the way, we’ve absorbed the message that more effort equals more value. That our ability to keep producing and performing somehow proves our strength, or worse, our faith.
But here’s the truth Scripture reminds us of again and again:
Your identity is not in what you do.
Your identity is in who you belong to.
In John 15, Jesus doesn’t say, “Produce fruit, then I’ll love you.”
He says, “Remain in Me.”
Connection comes before productivity.
Belovedness comes before fruitfulness.
When Slowing Down Feels like Failing
If you're in a season where your pace has slowed—or needs to—you might feel like you’re falling behind. You’re not.
Slowness may actually be a sacred invitation to remember:
You are already loved.
You are already chosen.
You are already enough.
And the fruit God is growing in your life? It flows from abiding, not achieving.
Friend, you don’t have to prove your value by what you get done today.
You are not your inbox, your calendar, your success, or your performance.
You are a branch connected to the True Vine.
Stay close to Him, and let the rest flow from there.
Reflection Questions
If this message stirred something in you, take a few moments to slow down and reflect. These questions aren’t about getting the “right” answers—they’re about making space to hear what God might be saying to your heart today.
Where have I tied my worth to my productivity?
What false beliefs am I holding about rest or work?
What would it look like to lead from a place of being deeply loved?