Remain

Earlier this month, many of my friends posted their "word for the year" on socials. It encourages me how many people want to live more focused and intentional, and in obedience to God's will. If you're not familiar with this concept of a "word for the year", it is a word or statement that becomes your focus for the year, an anchor point to keep you grounded. Often the word or phrase becomes a driving force and filter in which you process your decisions through. The word can also be challenging and cause a person to level up in their lifestyle and commitments. Whether you have a word for the year or not, what matters is developing a habit and living a lifestyle of communing and abiding with the Lord. 

This is a daily discipline and privilege. Yet daily abiding, or remaining in Christ, is often the very thing we neglect. The only way to experience the abundance of life in Christ is to abide with Him daily. About a year ago I was listening to a pastor preach a sermon on this very topic. She read from the book of John, chapter 15, and specifically emphasized the word "REMAIN". After she read John 15:1-11, she put down her Bible and out-loud repeated the word "REMAIN" about 20 times! Every time she spoke the word, she exuded passion and conviction. After about the tenth time of listening to her repeat the word, I thought to myself, "ok, we get it!" Then suddenly, here was shift in the atmosphere. What was slightly annoying became anointed. When she spoke out the word "REMAIN" there was a weight, a conviction, a glory. It was powerful! She was clearly making a point that the most important thing we can do as believers is to REMAIN.

Jesus said, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me." John 15:4 NLT. 

You cannot visit God and expect to be fruitful. You must dwell with Him and stay connected to Him at all times in order to be fruitful. Many years ago we lost our son in a gigantic science museum. One moment he was there, and the next he wasn't. At first I remained calm, but then panic set in. He was only 7 years old at the time. I had trained all of my children to find a "friendly Mom" or employee if we were ever separated in a public place. Well, our son had done just that, bless his heart! He found a museum employee who took him to the front lobby desk and kindly reassured him that his parent would come pick him up in no time at all. As we rounded the corner to the lobby, there was our little boy, trying to be brave and not cry, but he was clearly scared and upset. When I saw him behind the desk I ran towards him with my arms open wide. He ran to me and we both cried, overjoyed and relieved to be reunited. I envision our heavenly Father responding this way when one of His children who was wandered away chooses to return to Him.  

Our lives really do depend on remaining in Christ. When we disconnect from God we become completely exposed and vulnerable to the enemy. If you desire to find your purpose in life, it will be found by remaining in Christ. For any seeker searching for true identity, it is found by remaining in Christ. For the broken and hurting who long for wholeness, it is found only by remaining in Christ. For the abandoned and rejected, you will find your home by remaining in Christ. Everything that bears Godly and life-giving fruit comes from remaining in Christ. 
 
I encourage you to read John 15 and study this passage further. There is life and fruitfulness in remaining. 

With Love,
Lydia