Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.  John 15:5,NRSV

     In Jesus’ day, I am sure that his description of Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches was a rich metaphor to His listeners. But for me, in this day and time, (also possessing the distinct inability to grow anything), it is a metaphor removed from the realities of my life. So while I’m not a gardener, I do understand the word abide or remain. To me those words mean a sense of holding position where you are. I think, then, that abiding in God means being present to God this moment, whatever is happening here now. So how do I abide in whatever situation I’m in at the moment?

     Julian of Norwich wrote that she was present to God in her circumstance but also present to the circumstance itself. She says, “I look at God, then I look at the person before me, and I look back at God.”  While we can’t literally see God, she was saying that she would turn her mind to Him even while someone else was talking to her.

     While it may sound a little “other-world” mysterious, it actually makes us more alive to God and to others. It helps us see people, really look at them as we listen to God. Ruth Barton says, “The invitation to abide is the invitation to draw spiritual sustenance directly from its supernatural source amid the dailyness of our lives.”  If the metaphor of the vine is true, then this action of being with God in the present, should bear fruit. If we are abiding, Jesus said, fruit will happen.

     We do our part in obedience to listening to God—saying a word or asking a question—but we cannot take credit for what God multiplies or blesses. It is not in our control; it is a God thing. Abiding is, and always will be, a moment-by-moment thing, too. Barton goes on to say, “For me abiding means staying deeply rooted in spiritual reality, seeing the whole situation as God sees it, being given over to the love that He puts in my heart as I am fully present with Him in the moment.”

     Do you think it sounds too easy? That is the wonder of the Christian life: every moment is pregnant with the possibility of abiding deeply in Christ, and being surprised by the fruit that grows from it. I love that! I want it!

*What is your biggest obstacle in choosing to abide in Christ moment by moment?

Father, You know how ADD we are. Abiding, remaining, mentally “staying home” with you, rather than running off to the next moment or problem is difficult. Perhaps that’s why the fruit is so scarce. I want to listen, to remain, to look at You while I’m looking at someone else, and then listen to Your heart. Teach me to live this way. I want to be filled with Your life. I thank You for the honor. In Your precious name I pray, Amen.


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