John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Many years ago I had two index cards affixed to my computer monitor at work. The first one defined the word abide: (verb) to remain, to continue, to stay. The second said: My goal for the day: to abide in the Lord. After changes in computers and changes in classrooms, I have no clue where the index cards ended up, but I know abiding in my Savior should still be my goal for each day. I think I’ll have to remake them.
Matt 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
The older I get, the harder downtime is for me. Abiding seems so passive. Somehow I’ve got it in my head that in order to be of value, I have to DO, not ABIDE. My precious Savior knows my faults, and this morning He sent me a reminder in one of my daily devos: “…Jesus said that it is not our activity that produces fruit, it is our relationship with Him.” Thank You, Jesus.
Matt 10:31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this reminder that all I really need each day is to abide in You. Thank You for understanding how desperately my soul needs that message. Help me to refocus my goal for each day, abiding in You so that my relationship with You can produce much fruit. Help me to shine Your light. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.