Abide in Grace

Last year, instead of resolutions, I chose one word to focus and guide my actions. This approach was new to me. The word for 2013 was “intentional.”  This word helped me focus on and complete some major tasks, one of which was completing a manuscript. Throughout the year I was blessed as I learned more about intentionally seeking God and serving people. I grew as a result of choosing one word for the year.

But now it’s a new year. Time for a new word.

Through prayer and reading the Word, one word kept rising to the top.

My word for 2014 is abide.

Though I’ve studied this idea before in Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson, the Lord has whispered to me to look at it again, to discover new aspects of abiding in Him throughout 2014.

The five letters form a word that is both passive and active.

Its passive meaning is “to stay, to rest, to pause or to wait.”

The active meaning for “abide” is “to persist , persevere, keep on, continue.”

The Lord gave us a command to abide in Him.

“Remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:9

I can’t do it on my own. Jesus made this clear when He said,

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Nothing.

Abiding is that important. It is not an exercise just to feel good. Abiding helps us wait on the Lord and know how to serve Him.

Whatever situations unfold, I choose to abide in His love through worship and prayer. Abiding in the Lord fuels the spirit to go forward. It comforts the soul with peace. It deepens a relationship through time spent together. I will wait and abide for Him to reveal the next step for writing and ministry projects.

Psalm 73:28 explains the concept of abiding in the Lord:

“But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge.”

That verse that will keep me abiding, remembering that it is good to be near God.

I’m curious, what comes to your mind when hear the phrase “abide in the Lord?”