“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:4

On Sunday, Sarah talked about Jesus’ invitation to his disciples to abide in Him.  To stay.  To dwell in Him.  To make Him my home.

Yet, we struggle as we spend a majority of our lives abiding in other things.  

• Busyness
• Expectations of self and others
• Technology
• The narratives in our heads
• Appearances
• Achievements
• Etc, etc, etc…

Be honest with yourself - what do you abide in?  Where do you pour out most of your time and energy?

Wanna get really honest with yourself? Ask someone else what they see you abiding in.
Jesus calls us to abide in Him because we are only able to grow and produce good fruit if we stay connected to the vine, our Sustainer and Provider.  An unattached branch is…a dead stick.  There is no fruit and no growth. There is only fear because an unattached branch is simply firewood.  Abiding apart from God brings death and fear.

Fear can hide within many things - frustration, selfishness, anger, retreat, impatience, or silence.  However it presents itself, fear is a familiar weapon of the enemy and a great indicator that you are abiding in things other than Jesus.

How does fear present in you?

Recognizing this is powerful. The Word tells us that God is love and perfect love casts out all fear.  God and fear cannot share the same space.  Fear informs you that you are no longer abiding with the One who has loved you since before creation.  You may have pulled away, but He awaits your return.

So, return.  Run to the Father.  There is no time to sit in regret or shame.  He calls and waits for you.  Approach His throne with confession and repentance while He lovingly grafts your dead branch back onto the vine. Let Him remind you of who and whose you are. This is where you belong, nestled close to the vine.  Sit with Jesus and let Him remind you that the cross is enough.  His grace and mercy are enough.  You are forgiven and fully loved as you are while also being loved into who He created you to be.  
 
Abide - Look at Him, looking at you, in love.