Remain

Monday, June 12

Remain
By: Pastor Amie Donovan

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

One evening, Jesus is walking with his disciples. Little do they know the next day, their life as they know it will be radically changed forever. Jesus is about to die. 
They noticed something was different in the way Jesus spoke at dinner. There was passion in his eyes, a seriousness they hadn’t seen before. He tells them they are to love one other so the world knows they are his disciples. They are to watch for comparison traps and serve in humility. At the same time as giving these commands, He also tells them that He is leaving to go be with his Father. He tells them they cannot go with him. At least not yet. I hear the confusion and fear rising in his friends as I read through the account in the book of John. I stop and think to myself, “I’ve had my own confusing walk with Jesus.”
There are seasons when I simply don’t understand what’s happening around me. I feel direction from God. I sense His presence. I know and rest in the truth He is with me. Yet, the bends I cannot see around are terrifying. I ask Him in those moments, “God how do I get through this?”

I had a beautiful friend speak into me about six months ago, “When I pray over you, I see you over the water on stepping stones and you wobble. However, as you set your eyes upon Jesus you will always find your footing and not fall off the path.”
“I am the vine. You are the branches. Remain in me and I will remain in you.” 
In our confusing seasons and in our seasons of ease, we do the same thing.

Remain.

As we abide in Christ our lives in all seasons will bear much fruit, but apart from Him we can do nothing.