Abiding in His Presence
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, abide means to: bear patiently, endure without yielding, wait for, accept without objection, remain stable or fixed. My husband and my computer repair guy like to tease me about my computer skills in one way or another. “Wow, I never have that much trouble with mine or others folk’s computer!” If the truth be told, I don’t listen much to their comments. My main concern is to finish my task. So, in order to do that, I abide – bear patiently and remain fixed - on what I need to complete without their distracting comments.
My thoughts then turned to how computers have changed our lives. The Internet allows us to communicate around the world and to join together on tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. This is done by developing a central processing unit that handles the programming, storage, and communication functions. Then, it is connected with remote workstations for individuals’ input and retrieval. But, they must abide, or remain fixed to the central processing unit, in order to be productive.
This is similar to the situation that Jesus describes in the image of the vine and the branches. Jesus is the central processing unit or power source (the vine). Unless we (the branches) are connected to the power source, nothing is going to work no matter how hard we try.
John 15:4,5,7 (The Message) “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch cannot bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you cannot bear fruit unless you are joined with me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you are joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you cannot produce a thing. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.”
As long as your focus is being connected to Jesus, you will always come out on top. Being connected to the power source will help prevent you from contracting life’s viruses of condemnation, judgment, and sin. And walking in harmony with your fellowman will show how closely you are connected to the power source, Jesus. Do not spend too much time dwelling on how to get the perfect plan; instead, aim to get it done. Take a deep breath, relax, and focus on what power source you are connected to and just keep on moving forward.
Proverbs 3:6-8 (NIV) “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
My thoughts then turned to how computers have changed our lives. The Internet allows us to communicate around the world and to join together on tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. This is done by developing a central processing unit that handles the programming, storage, and communication functions. Then, it is connected with remote workstations for individuals’ input and retrieval. But, they must abide, or remain fixed to the central processing unit, in order to be productive.
This is similar to the situation that Jesus describes in the image of the vine and the branches. Jesus is the central processing unit or power source (the vine). Unless we (the branches) are connected to the power source, nothing is going to work no matter how hard we try.
John 15:4,5,7 (The Message) “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch cannot bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you cannot bear fruit unless you are joined with me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you are joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you cannot produce a thing. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.”
As long as your focus is being connected to Jesus, you will always come out on top. Being connected to the power source will help prevent you from contracting life’s viruses of condemnation, judgment, and sin. And walking in harmony with your fellowman will show how closely you are connected to the power source, Jesus. Do not spend too much time dwelling on how to get the perfect plan; instead, aim to get it done. Take a deep breath, relax, and focus on what power source you are connected to and just keep on moving forward.
Proverbs 3:6-8 (NIV) “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”