"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5. Some Bible verses I think I learned before my ABC's. This would be one of those verses. Thought I'd comprehended all there was to understand about this verse. But, as God continues to do, He has opened my pea-brain to more insights of the blessings here.
My new understanding comes by way of the word "abiding." Sure I understand that any power I possess flows to me from the vine. Got it. So all that I accomplish is through His power. But how do I accomplish His work? How do I make my ministry effective? What is the most important ingredient necessary to make me most useable? Abiding. Just abiding. To abide means simply to stay connected. I don't have to "hold on." I don't have to make myself grow larger. Producing fruit is not my responsibility. I must simply abide, stay connected to my Father. I can relax. And watch Him work.
His plan for salvation was simple, uncomplicated, without effort because He did all the work, accomplished all that was necessary. We simply believe. Stands to reason that His approach to how we should live the Christian life would be the same. Simple. Abide. But no, we run around stressing, pushing, working, making things happen and struggling to be who He wants us to be. Not part of His plan. Abide. I can imagine that as He laid out His plan for mankind, He maybe thought, "How can I make this as easy as possible for My children? I know. I will do all the work. They will just need to stay connected with me." Abide.
Does this means I sit on the couch and watch Fox News while God accomplishes His purposes here on earth? Right. So what does this abiding look like? What does it mean? How exactly does it work? Hmmmm.......
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
life struggles
As I look back over my previous posts, I begin to see a pattern. It would seem that in my more difficult periods of life I decide it's time to blog. Struggles make me want to "wax eloquent". I guess after bumping into my trouble over and over, a little clarity is what I want and writing helps me make sense of my situation. I was looking back over my blogs because I am again, struggling and came to my blogspot to express myself. What's up with that?
Struggles are common to us all. They come, they go. They are huge or they are minor nuisances. Part of our trouble as Christians is, I think, that we spend so much time avoiding difficulties, discomforts. It's part of our culture. Do anything you must to be comfortable physically and emotionally. Eat what you want and don't push yourself to exercise. Sleep late and quit if a task gets too hard. Run from a relationship that is causing you pain. Take the easy road of bitterness instead of the more difficult path of forgiving. The irony is that when our decisions make it easy for us in the present, most of the time the final results of these decisions are much more harmful and hurtful.
So how should I handle difficult circumstances? First of all, I must remember that they are from the Lord. He is in control and nothing touches me that does pass through His loving filters. This truth enables me to understand that there is a reason for each struggle I face. He wants to teach me, to grow me or to draw me closer to Him. I should face the problem head on. Even if I don't know what to do, I can remain faithful, trusting until the path ahead is clear, the next step obvious.
I love the Lord. But way too often my life, my attitudes, my actions support the fact that I love myself more. I am a sorry excuse for a child of God. I caused Him to suffer. And in return? My understanding of what He did for me is totally insufficient to even try to put it in words.
So. As I sit in front of my computer with my head in my hands, I face a crossroad. Will I go on feeling sorry for myself? Being difficult with those who cause me difficulties? Focusing on the hardships of living and missing the wonderful blessings that are all around me?
Well......what will you do?
Struggles are common to us all. They come, they go. They are huge or they are minor nuisances. Part of our trouble as Christians is, I think, that we spend so much time avoiding difficulties, discomforts. It's part of our culture. Do anything you must to be comfortable physically and emotionally. Eat what you want and don't push yourself to exercise. Sleep late and quit if a task gets too hard. Run from a relationship that is causing you pain. Take the easy road of bitterness instead of the more difficult path of forgiving. The irony is that when our decisions make it easy for us in the present, most of the time the final results of these decisions are much more harmful and hurtful.
So how should I handle difficult circumstances? First of all, I must remember that they are from the Lord. He is in control and nothing touches me that does pass through His loving filters. This truth enables me to understand that there is a reason for each struggle I face. He wants to teach me, to grow me or to draw me closer to Him. I should face the problem head on. Even if I don't know what to do, I can remain faithful, trusting until the path ahead is clear, the next step obvious.
I love the Lord. But way too often my life, my attitudes, my actions support the fact that I love myself more. I am a sorry excuse for a child of God. I caused Him to suffer. And in return? My understanding of what He did for me is totally insufficient to even try to put it in words.
So. As I sit in front of my computer with my head in my hands, I face a crossroad. Will I go on feeling sorry for myself? Being difficult with those who cause me difficulties? Focusing on the hardships of living and missing the wonderful blessings that are all around me?
Well......what will you do?
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