INTIMATE: A very close and familiar friend; an informal, friendly atmosphere; a very close connection.
This has been my word this month. If it is one thing God has taught me this month, it’s the vital importance of intimacy with the Father. Staying closely connected in His presence is the only way to fully LIVE in life but especially on the field. Honestly, only through the intimacy of a personal relationship with Jesus can we be transformed from the inside out.
“I am the Vine and you are the branches. When you’re joined with Me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is SURE to be abundant.” –John 15:5 (MSG)
I will not lie to you. This has by far been the most difficult month for me on the field. In the spare moments, which are few and far between, I have wanted to complain and question why I am here. But it’s in these moments He is teaching me to fill up these moments with joyful praise and thanksgiving. Which is exactly what you want to do when you are struggling right?! NO WAY! It’s the last thing I want to do. I want to complain about the suffering I am feeling and blame Him for the pain I am experiencing. However, we all know that doesn’t really get you anywhere. I am learning that in order to LIVE in the intimacy of His presence, I have to maintain a joyful and glad heart toward my Father. I am also learning that there is a beauty in the refining process. Ultimately, if I allow it, it will bring forth the character of the Lord in my life and help me complete my destiny.
“Every branch that is in Me…that does bear fruit He prunes, that is may be able to bear more fruit.” –John 15:2
FRUIT: An image for good results coming from the life of a believer, bringing benefit to the lives of others and advancing the work of God in the world.
Is it even worth it? I have wondered that a lot this month. Despite the uncomfortable feeling of pruning, my deepest desire is to please Him with my life. I long to find true fulfillment in Him alone. I have created my entire life to revolve around the concept of making an eternal impact on this world. I want to blossom, put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit!
“Abide in Me and I in you…unless you abide in ME, you can bear no fruit… apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
ABIDE: To continue in a daily, personal and intimate relationship with Jesus characterized by trust, prayer, obedience and joy.
As I spend more time in His presence, He is revealing to me the value of an intimate relationship with Jesus. When He is abiding in Me, He is filling my life with everything I need to face each moment, situation and struggle. I’m finding that knowing Him intimately is like having a wellspring of joy within my heart!
“That My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:10)
As I continue to pursue this intimate relationship with Him, I am seeing it is crucial that I walk in obedience to His words in all circumstances, whether I want to our not. You see, life is full of difficulties and suffering. Unfortunately, that’s something that is a result of living in a fallen world. Jesus even promised us hardships in His time on earth. But if we make living close and intimate with Him our focus, we can find joy in even the most difficult of days.
