“Abide In Me”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” – John 15:5-7, NIV

The busyness of this life can be one of the most detrimental things in the life of the believer.  Many times throughout the Scriptures, the word for “evil” actually can be translated “toil”.  (John 17:15 is a prime example).   Toil steals life from those who embrace it.  It is draining and fruitless.

The word for ‘remain’ that Jesus uses when He is speaking to His disciples  is translated “to remain with, to tarry or wait upon, to stay in a given place.”  So much of what we can get wrapped up in is a whole lot of labor—busywork that creates in us a sense of accomplishment but at the end of the day, there is little or no good fruit that remains.

Jesus was clear that we are to seek the Kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33) and that everything else would be added to us.  Can you honestly say that you are doing just that?  If He asked you to leave behind everything that is comfortable and safe in your life and embrace a life of adventure and uncertainty, could you?

Would you be willing to move to a foreign nation where you know no one and can’t speak the language, simply if He asked you to?  Could you trust Him that much?  The level of trust that we need for a true life of faith is only found through times of intimacy with our Lord.  It is what powers us.  It is what gives us life.

Branches cannot survive without being connected to their vine.  The branches in and of themselves cannot generate any kind of life-giving sustenance.  The nutrition that the branch needs can only come from the vine as it remains one with the branch.  We are much the same in our relationship with Christ.

If we find ourselves consistently losing energy, motivation, our dreams, or even provision and health, that is a pretty solid indication that we have removed ourselves from the source of Life.   Let today be the day to reorient your life and turn toward the One who is ever-waiting to speak with you.  The breakthrough you need and have been crying out for resides in the secret place with Him.  Seek Him, and you will the answer that your heart yearns for.

Prayer:

Jesus, I know that there has been so much in my life that has led to a whole lot of fruitless labor.  I have been feeling worn down, beat up, and not even close to living the victorious Christian life that You designed.  Change my heart and help me to make it a priority to spend time with You.  My motivation is for the sake of intimacy—not for the sake of coming to You with a long list of problems for You to fix.  Thank You for creating me to be one with You.  I ask that You would teach me how to effectively and lovingly abide and rest in Your Presence.  Amen.