Abide!

Abide!

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4 KJV 

Jesus was speaking to his disciples here, and as it has been said several times, it is God's desire to direct my life, but I have the responsibility to place my life in his hands. He will not force himself on me, and he will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He is the God of absolute wisdom and power, sure and certain about what I need for life and Godliness, and he is willing, ready and able to provide all these. The main part for me to play is to embrace what he has offered and take advantage of all that is available. 

How do I take advantage? Today's extract uses the word: 'abide'. That is both a command and a choice. It is a command because Jesus directs it, but it is a choice because Jesus would not compel me to come. His arms are open wide to receive me, but I have to come to him with arms open wide too. It is a symbiotic relationship, where both God and I get to enjoy the benefits and blessings of fellowship. Actually, I get to gain a lot because nothing I do changes who God is but when I get the terms of the relationship right, I am in for a lifetime of amazing abundance. 

It is not a temporary arrangement, where I come in and go out as and when I please. It is to be permanent residence, where I stick to it even when it hurts. The picture here is of a branch of a tree that wants to thrive and bear fruit. The branch knows that the only way it can remain relevant is to never lose connection with its source of nourishment. No matter how fat it grows or how much it bears, the secret is actually in its connection to the source of nourishing. You don't see the work of nourishing and sustaining, but you cannot doubt the evidence of the nourishment in the fruits. That is how it must be with me; people may not see the secret devotion and the daily relationship with God, but there will be no doubt when the fruit of the investment is made clear. Does my life bear any semblance to a life that is connected to God? Can men see the proof of a relationship with God? 

Just take Jesus at his word: if there is no connection, it means that there is no relationship. He owes me nothing if he is not my Lord and Master. He will do all he needs to do for all human beings, but there is a special place in his heart for all who have come to trust in him. Am I truly one of such people who have come to trust him as Lord and Saviour or am I still trying to sort out my identity? Does he know me as his own? Remember, knowledge about God is not enough; it is important that I trust him with my life and hand it over to him. Only then am I truly safe? God's time of favour is here.