Jonathan Munson, Executive Director

“Whoever abides in Me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

I wear a lot of different hats. 

On any given day, I’m a husband, dad, brother, friend, executive director, carpool driver, caretaker, small group leader, housekeeper, yardman, etc.

And within each role comes a long list of responsibilities. There are details to keep track of. Duties I can’t allow to fall through the cracks. At times, the compounding stress and strain are borderline overwhelming.    

I know I’m not alone.

Many of us are stretched thin, carrying heavy loads with no relief in sight. We wonder if we truly have what it takes to keep going. 

If I could be so bold as to remind us:  We don’t. 

Unless we continually “abide” in Christ, we won’t make it.

The same was true for Jesus’ original disciples.  

As Jesus spoke these words during the Last Supper, the disciples couldn’t possibly imagine the roller coaster of events about to unfold–the crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the birth of the Church. Yet, Jesus had promised they would do “even greater works” than Him (John 14:12). The only way these “greater works” would be possible… the only way they’d accomplish anything of eternal value…would be to abide in Him.  

From the moment of our salvation, we abide in Christ and He in us (1 John 4:15). We’re forever connected to Jesus, the “true vine” (John 15:1). 

But abiding isn’t passive. It’s a daily choice to stay connected. That is, in all of our various roles and responsibilities, we continuously draw near to His presence.  We maintain an ongoing awareness of His Spirit inside us. Just as a branch depends on the vine for life, we rely on the power of Jesus to face life’s demands. 

Of course, abiding isn’t automatic. Left to ourselves, we drift toward self-sufficiency. That’s why we need habits that reconnect our spirits with the Spirit of Jesus.  

For me, abiding in Christ might look like: 

• Saying quick prayers throughout the day 

• Pausing to listen to His voice 

• Reflecting on a passage of Scripture I read earlier

• Reading a devotional in the afternoon

These simple rhythms remind my soul that my relationship with Jesus isn’t a part of my life–it’s the center of it.

C.S. Lewis sums it up well: “A car is made to run on petrol {gasoline}, and it would not run properly on anything else. God has designed the human machine to run on Himself. He is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn or the food our spirits were designed to feed on.” 

The result of our spirits feeding off the life-giving Spirit of Jesus is that we bear “fruit” for the Kingdom. Not just in what we accomplish but in who we become (Galatians 5:22). After all, what good is it if we do things for Jesus in a spirit that looks nothing like Jesus?   

So, here’s the question: How will you carry what’s on your plate today?

Will you abide in Him or try to run your “human machine” on some other kind of fuel?  

Remember, “abiding” isn’t complicated. Try this: instead of focusing on everything you have on your To Do List, focus on being with Jesus throughout your day. Talk to Him. Invite Him into whatever you’re doing, whether at work, home, or school.

Keep in mind that Jesus whispers to us the same thing that He told His disciples: “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). 

Jesus’ words should make us pause and evaluate how we go about our everyday lives.

Without Him, we can do nothing. Nothing that truly satisfies. Nothing of eternal value.

But in Him, we can do anything He asks us to do.

And that, my friends, is a truth that will enable us to face all that is before us today and in the days to come. 

DIG DEEPER
Read “The Best Way to Start Your Day” by Bryant Wright