by Katie

I was gearing up for a crazy busy week at work. I knew that I would be tempted to rely on my own strength and get-er-done attitude rather than resting in Christ. I kept thinking of John 15, the chapter about abiding in Christ, so I went there and began journaling what I could learn from it. 

Here's the passage, with some of my favorite parts in bold. :)

John 15 (ESV)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 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.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

It's such an awesome passage. Here's what I learned as I was looking ahead to a wild week:

Point #1: As I abide in Christ (read: keep His word in view, think of Him and talk with Him throughout the day, and rely on His strength, not my hustle), HE will bring much fruit.

Point #2: If I don't abide in Christ, I cannot bear fruit. So it's a must.

Point #3: God will be glorified as I abide in Him this week. This is the best part! All that I am doing, as I abide in Christ, will bring fruit, and that WILL bring glory to God. SO AWESOME!!

Point #4: I can rest in His promises and in the awesome knowledge of His love, no matter the crazy task that's upon me.

Point #5: Knowing all of this will channel His joy into me so that it overflows to others.

and finally, Point #6:  If I abide in Him and His words abide in me, then I can ask WHATEVER I wish and He will grant it. So, trusting that I am abiding in Him, what shall I ask?

After journaling, I opened my Chrome browser and used my Mindful app to type out this passage, so every time I'd open a new browser tab, I'd be reminded of it. Toward the end of the week I could see myself slipping into relying on my own hustle - it's so hard for me not to do that! And at the same time I felt my joy slipping. But God is gracious, and brought me back to remember His truth when I called a timeout (otherwise known as, Sunday rolled around).

I'd asked some specific things (goal numbers for a project at work), and He over and above answered those. "Ask whatever you wish." And, He also gave me a glimpse beyond the numbers of how the work I am doing is helping reach people with His truth. "My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

So, my question for you: Are you abiding in Christ, or not? And if you are - what big things (or little things!) are you asking Him for?

Such an awesome God we serve! Let's remember Him as we head into our work, knowing that by abiding in Him, we can't help but bring Him glory and be successful in an eternal way.