Today, I'm celebrating the launch of the new 2019 3-in-1 calendar, "Simply Abide," and wanted to share a bit of my heart behind this year's theme. The title "Simply Abide" wasn't chosen because I think abiding is simple, but because abiding is simply what we’re made for.
Often, we look for a formula or a blueprint for success, goal-crushing, parenting, platform-building, or simply adulting in this harried world. We want to know what it takes to "make it," but God's instruction to His people is clear.... we are to ABIDE.
I need to remind myself daily that abiding is where I'll find life, peace, and joy. Unfortunately, far too often, my tendency is to get a "dose of Jesus" in the morning and then run off to do my own thing for the rest of the day. But, as I'm learning over and over, striving in my own strength will not draw me any closer to Him, or bring fruitfulness to my tasks. We will never produce lasting fruit or anything worthwhile apart from remaining in him.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. 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
Do you see, friends? Our one and only strategy for life in Christ is to simply abide. We get to be near to Him, cling to the vine and trust that He will give the fruit.
Abiding isn't always easy and sometimes it doesn't come naturally. Thankfully, it's not dependent on not our own ability to say “I will stand my ground and not be shaken.” In our own strength, we can’t abide, but Jesus' atoning sacrifice purchased our ability to abide in Him. What an incredible gift we've been given—He makes it possible for us to remain!
Abiding is an active choice to persevere and remain rooted in Christ. It's tucking in close to our heavenly Father because we have no strength outside of Him and we truly believe there’s no better place to be than right by our Savior.
It's repeating, remembering, and retelling ourselves that He alone can save us, help us remain, allow us to stand our ground, to hold on in spite of every obstacle, and to desire what He has for us even when it just feels too hard.
My prayer is that as we cling to the True Vine, abiding in Him, we'll see the beautiful fruit that only He can produce.
Because of grace,
Some of these thoughts first appeared in my Instagram post on August 22, 2018.
Want to learn more about the 2019 3-in-1 calendar that launched today? Check out this video and visit the Shoppe to buy yours!