Can YOU Abide?
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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 15:1-5, (ESV)
ME: Jesus, I don’t think I do very well with this word “abide”. I can’t seem to stay focused and my mind easily wanders to far-away places.
JESUS: Yes, I know your mind and your thoughts. But you always come back to Me.
ME: I want to bear fruit for You. However, I seem to get in the way of doing that. Please help me understand what it really means to abide. Our English language offers several ways to use the word and I want to use the one that You used.
JESUS: Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. What do you think this means?
ME: Maybe that I should be closer than Your shadow. We should have conversations about everything. Is that right?
JESUS: Yes, but you are missing something. Try again.
ME: Umm! I’m not quite sure what to say. I don’t know. Can You help me…just a little?
JESUS: I spoke these words during My last evening with My beloved disciples. They did not understand either. Let’s try this: To abide means to remain dynamically connected. You have that part correct. These words I spoke were to help you survive in a world that is full of discord. Honestly, you cannot survive or stay on task without Me. I know those are rather harsh words but that is the truth. When you go off and do your own thing, it is like breaking off a branch—it has no life-giving support. It withers and dies. If you want to stay alive and have an abundant life, stay with Me.
ME: I get it. But I have a question. If I abide in You, do You abide with me?
JESUS: (laughing) Yes, of course My precious child. Can you abide with that?