ABIDE IN MY LOVE.
That’s what the Father instructs me to do.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. – John 15:8-9
If I am called to abide in Christ what does that mean?
John Piper says abiding is “an attachment to — a coming to — Jesus, and a receiving from Jesus. It is trusting in Jesus, remaining in fellowship with Jesus, connecting to Jesus so that all that God is for us in him is flowing like a life-giving sap into our lives.”
Don’t you just love that picture?
Abiding in Christ means constant communion with Him. That is what I am craving so desperately. I know that if I can truly abide in Him, I will be filled up with His Spirit to then overflow with love onto others in all I say and do.
For a majority of my life I have had this craving to be in total communion with God. The problem has come when I try to attain total connection then fall short. I realize that I have always thought total communion and complete abiding was impossible for this very reason. Thought that because of my sinful filth, I would never be able to fully abide like John 15:5 suggests. Thought Jesus was asking me for more than I was capable of.
BUT I know that God wouldn’t instruct me to do something that I cannot possibly do. Maybe I have been trying to abide on my own strength. Maybe I have been striving for this communion with Christ when He offers it to me as a gift and privilege. If I desire total connection and communion with God, He promises I will find what I am seeking.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13
This is me asking God with all that I am to show me how to completely abide. Whatever that may look like, I long for it knowing that through His power and strength it is attainable.
I’ve tasted and seen of Your great love, and I want more God, as much a I can possibly get.
Ever so sweetly, God gave me a song for this month called, “Leave Me Astounded” by Planetshakers. It’s like they put all my secret thoughts into a song. These words are my prayer and my hope! To lay all that I have at His feet and to be utterly astounded at His glory.
Over and out.
Julia
