Abide in Me

When a plant becomes dry and brittle, it usually becomes apparent that it either has not been given the necessary nourishment of water or of good soil, or it has not received enough sun. 

Could it be the same for us?

When we begin to operate on empty, and find that instead of overflowing with joy and peace, that grumbling and worry are flowing out of us, maybe we need to check if our hearts have been properly nourished.

And where does our nourishment come from?

When we pause our hurried lives and our hearts to listen, we will find that just maybe we need to press the "refresh" button. Maybe we need to pull aside, to rest, to be refreshed physically ... and maybe we also need to slow our pace and rest our souls. To press the pause button, to quiet our hearts, to listen to Him. To be watered by His Word, and to lift our hearts to receive His love. 

 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.

(John 15:4)

Webster's dictionary defines "abide" in this way: "to remain, continue, stay, to have one's abode, dwell, reside, to wait for, to submit to, to remain faithful or steadfast to."

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)

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Writing these words for my own heart, as I have come off of a very busy season of serving and helping others, and I am reminded of my source of nourishment. And maybe you are in a similar place. May we choose to abide, to remain, to dwell in His Words and His Love.