Learning to Abide

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Sometimes, the Lord's presence is so evident. Worship is sweet, spending time in the Word is a delight. There is joy, a calm steadiness of trust. My soul says, all is well.

But something changes, almost unnoticeably. I know what it is when finally, desperate and empty, I stop to take notice: I'm not abiding in Christ. Rather than walking moment by moment in an intimate relationship with Him, I find myself distracted. My Christian walk becomes more about drawing from past experience or learned truth to sustain me than present contact with the Saviour.

It's humbling. Humbling, because I can be so forgetful. I've been here before, a thousand times. I should know better. I turn to face my Lord, ashamed. Needy, like a child. His admonishment goes right to my heart:

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me...Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my love...these things I have spoken to you so that My joy man be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:4,9-11)

Help me to abide and to obey, Father, and to walk in this joy that you so beautifully offer. Nothing is more important than You.