“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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 15:4 (ESV)
Dear God,
What would You have me say?
Abide.
I think I used to be good at this. Sometimes it’s easier to abide when things are so out of your control, you can’t drive yourself crazy trying to fix or anticipate everything.
My dear family, my job, my dreams, I know I’m capable of turning anyone and everything into a burden or worry, though I know they are scintillating gifts straight from Your generous Spirit and loving Hand.
Abide.
“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6)
Faith is the beginning, the first theological virtue, Aquinas was right. In order to trust, my heart has to have that kernel, that knowledge of Your heart where I begin to lean on you, to feel safe enough to receive not just eternal life, but abundant life (and, when dark days cover me like a shroud, comfort and strength to keep on through the valley of the shadow.)
Love, Love is the core of who You are. To abide in You we must know your love in the way we say of those dearest to us, that being with them is being home.
Abide.
And as we learn to love You, to care enough what You think and feel to partner with You to amend our behavior to the law of Love, to what makes You happy, You are at Home in us too.
I hope I can be a Home to You, Jesus, You have made everywhere a home to me, traveling with me through the most dull and fantastical, dear and terrible, clear and clouded landscapes, setting up camp and beckoning me to Rest even as the battle rages unchecked around me.
“Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3 (NIV)
Dear friends, may we always be at Home in Jesus and Jesus at Home in us!
