Choosing to Abide
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
1 John 4:13
Over the course of my years, I have found that the ebb and flow of life can cause me to be relaxed. Now, being relaxed can be a good thing but there have been many times that I have found myself too relaxed of heart. You see, I know that this life is not about me. I know that my very next breath has everything to do with the Creator of all. He holds my very life in his hands. I need Him for everything. These truths cause me to walk closely with my Heavenly Father each step of my day.
Yet, being who I am, when life is good, I can become fiercely independent and lay aside those truths to some extent. I can breeze through my days as if I am self-ruling and totally capable on my own. I can quickly forget that my strength does not come from me.
There is always something that brings me back to reality. Sometimes it is a quiet whisper from my Father. Other times it is in the midst of studying His Word or singing a praise song. Then there are the times that my all wise Father allows in my life. These are the tough times, the hard times, the painful times. I have found over the years that those are the situations that cause me to cry out more passionately to my Heavenly Father. They bring me back to the reality of my situation, I need Him every moment of every day. In the end, it has caused a deeper intimacy with Christ than before, a deeper trust than before, and a greater understanding of this magnificent God that I call Father.
This last month has been one of those times. We chose to step out in faith as God directed our hearts. We knew we were going to need God every step of the way but I don't think I anticipated just how much I would need to cry out to Him. I didn't know how often I would utter the words, "I need you, Lord." Nor did I imagine that many times I would have the feeling that I was in the deep waters with just my nose breaking the surface, feeling like I was about to go under.
Yesterday was the breaking point for me. The week had been jam packed with life. Many circumstances of the week were emotionally exhausting. I was at the point where I felt like only one nostril remained above the water. All I wanted to do was to be alone, sing praise music, sob, and call out to my Abba Father in prayer. Life did not allow me to be alone nor let the tears roll from my heart and cascade down my face but my God still met me there. He made His presence known. He strengthened me and He challenged me in the midst of my weakness.
His reminder was, "I am here." and His challenge was very clear, "Abide in Me." I could feel His presence. As my heart thought over those words, I pondered what it meant. What does "abide in me" really mean? I looked it up and here are some of the ideas that stood out. To observe, follow, keep to, hold to, stand by, continue without fading or being lost, to remain stable or fixed in a state, to continue in a place.
It struck me that abiding isn't just a relaxed, unaware state of mind and heart. It is something you do with all diligence. It is purposeful and habitual. I love the part that says, "fixed in a state." It fit my heart perfectly at that moment. You see, in those moments where I was being told, "Abide in me." my heart was also choosing to fix my eyes on Jesus. My gaze had shifted and I was becoming overwhelmed. I suddenly realized my eyes had moved to my circumstances instead of remaining FIXED on the One who was giving me every breath. I was not abiding in Him.
When truth was made clear and my eyes were fixed on my Jesus once again, my heart overwhelmingly acknowledged that He was there. He was there the whole time. He still is and always will be. I can not explain the peace and strength that brought. My circumstances have not changed one bit but once again, I know more of Jesus. I know Him in a deeper way. I am more aware of what I need to do. I am choosing to be fixed, to continue without fading, to hold to, to abide in Christ. This brings me strength and courage and the ability to continue on boldly.
Surely I am not done learning. I know me. I know that I am like a dumb sheep sometimes. Hard times will continue to come. More than likely I will momentarily shift my gaze from Christ to the raging waters. I am grateful for His faithfulness and patience with me. I know He will remind my heart, "Abide in me."
Thank you, Jesus, for your truth. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that you continue to teach my heart. Thank you that I can fix my eyes directly on your eyes. I need you. Teach me what it is to abide in you fully.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:4-11
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
1 John 4:13
Over the course of my years, I have found that the ebb and flow of life can cause me to be relaxed. Now, being relaxed can be a good thing but there have been many times that I have found myself too relaxed of heart. You see, I know that this life is not about me. I know that my very next breath has everything to do with the Creator of all. He holds my very life in his hands. I need Him for everything. These truths cause me to walk closely with my Heavenly Father each step of my day.
Yet, being who I am, when life is good, I can become fiercely independent and lay aside those truths to some extent. I can breeze through my days as if I am self-ruling and totally capable on my own. I can quickly forget that my strength does not come from me.
There is always something that brings me back to reality. Sometimes it is a quiet whisper from my Father. Other times it is in the midst of studying His Word or singing a praise song. Then there are the times that my all wise Father allows in my life. These are the tough times, the hard times, the painful times. I have found over the years that those are the situations that cause me to cry out more passionately to my Heavenly Father. They bring me back to the reality of my situation, I need Him every moment of every day. In the end, it has caused a deeper intimacy with Christ than before, a deeper trust than before, and a greater understanding of this magnificent God that I call Father.
This last month has been one of those times. We chose to step out in faith as God directed our hearts. We knew we were going to need God every step of the way but I don't think I anticipated just how much I would need to cry out to Him. I didn't know how often I would utter the words, "I need you, Lord." Nor did I imagine that many times I would have the feeling that I was in the deep waters with just my nose breaking the surface, feeling like I was about to go under.
Yesterday was the breaking point for me. The week had been jam packed with life. Many circumstances of the week were emotionally exhausting. I was at the point where I felt like only one nostril remained above the water. All I wanted to do was to be alone, sing praise music, sob, and call out to my Abba Father in prayer. Life did not allow me to be alone nor let the tears roll from my heart and cascade down my face but my God still met me there. He made His presence known. He strengthened me and He challenged me in the midst of my weakness.
His reminder was, "I am here." and His challenge was very clear, "Abide in Me." I could feel His presence. As my heart thought over those words, I pondered what it meant. What does "abide in me" really mean? I looked it up and here are some of the ideas that stood out. To observe, follow, keep to, hold to, stand by, continue without fading or being lost, to remain stable or fixed in a state, to continue in a place.
It struck me that abiding isn't just a relaxed, unaware state of mind and heart. It is something you do with all diligence. It is purposeful and habitual. I love the part that says, "fixed in a state." It fit my heart perfectly at that moment. You see, in those moments where I was being told, "Abide in me." my heart was also choosing to fix my eyes on Jesus. My gaze had shifted and I was becoming overwhelmed. I suddenly realized my eyes had moved to my circumstances instead of remaining FIXED on the One who was giving me every breath. I was not abiding in Him.
When truth was made clear and my eyes were fixed on my Jesus once again, my heart overwhelmingly acknowledged that He was there. He was there the whole time. He still is and always will be. I can not explain the peace and strength that brought. My circumstances have not changed one bit but once again, I know more of Jesus. I know Him in a deeper way. I am more aware of what I need to do. I am choosing to be fixed, to continue without fading, to hold to, to abide in Christ. This brings me strength and courage and the ability to continue on boldly.
Surely I am not done learning. I know me. I know that I am like a dumb sheep sometimes. Hard times will continue to come. More than likely I will momentarily shift my gaze from Christ to the raging waters. I am grateful for His faithfulness and patience with me. I know He will remind my heart, "Abide in me."
Thank you, Jesus, for your truth. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that you continue to teach my heart. Thank you that I can fix my eyes directly on your eyes. I need you. Teach me what it is to abide in you fully.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:4-11
Erica, thank you for putting into word what my heart so often feels. When we truly abide in Jesus, only then are we whole as God intended. Without Him we can do nothing.
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