It's the beginning of a new year. A new outlook, maybe a fresh perceptive? But do you ever find yourself in week two of the year, saying you're hitting restart only to go back to the ways that you have been so desperately trying to improve from?
2024....I remember back in the 90's thinking that the year's 2020's were a long shot and yet here we are."How did time go by so fast?"
With all the plans, the goals, the life we dreamt of back them, or possibly fantasized about, one thing comes to mind, and I must ask myself.
"Am I truly where I need to be at this point in my life?"
I know I'm not the only one who has those thoughts. More, more, more, we all want MORE. And it's in those more moments that the Holy Spirit whispers to me...
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4
It's those first three words, lies a truth remind my soul that these temporary anxieties, what if's mean no true rest. It's those first three words that remind me that no matter how much I try to control, I can't. And that is what brings me the peace in the now. Knowing that when I remain in HIM, His spirit will lead the way into an eternal fruit bearing life because when I remain in Him, His steadfastness is evident in my life.
Are you restless? Are you hoping that what you are doing right now will "pay off?" What if all it took was letting Him light your path and surrendering the tomorrows to the only ONE that cares for you soul, mind, spirit?
Abiding is hard when we place expectations where they can not be met. Especially when those expectations are put on others for them to fulfill, unknowingly. Abiding takes patience. Abiding literally means, "to stay." Jesus tells us to stay with Him.
I imagine Jesus telling me, "Come and stay with me." And in this moment I imagine that there is a choice to be made. Either my desires will line up with His if I truly love him, or they won't.
What is more important here? What am I saying?
If Jesus is Lord of our hearts then His will is more important and therefore, the only way to know his will is to abide in Him. His promises are for us to be full of Him. Full in His joy. (John 15:11)
What are you struggling with today? What if all it took to release the burden of "what if" remains in "abiding?" How would that change this year for you. I know many of us can't wait to hit the reset button on the first of the year. What if the reset button remains in redirecting ourselves to abiding in Him? In those moments of weakness, we want to get ahead and take matters into our own hands. His will must be first and simply choosing to abide will show the evidence of His spirit in us, through our lives. It will bless and impact others so they too will want to seek His will, and simply choose to "stay."
So friend, I would answer my own question with, "I am where he needs me to be at this point in my life, and for that I am grateful because I am choosing to stay." Jesus calls out to his sheep and says, "stay awhile and let me lead you into my everlasting peace and protection."
Here are some simple ways to start abiding in Him. Give yourself grace.
Seek only God's best.
Run to His word and trust in it.
Tell yourself to"stay." Joy is on the other side.
Here's a free printable to help you get started on setting your intention this year to abide.
He loves you dearly.
You are Crowned in Beauty,
Kimberly