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By Pastor David Larson
Do you live in peace? Is life full of good things? Is everything going well? Or are you running like crazy, life going faster and faster with not enough hours in the day to get everything done you need to do? What about relationshps? Are they healthy or falling apart? Stop this crazy life, I want to get off! Life can seem pretty overwhelming but there is hope!
In today's Word, Jesus said we are to remain or abide in Him and He in us. It means to live, take up residence, make your home, to continue to be present. "He is the Vine, we are the branches" puts everything into perspective. He is our Source and Life. He said apart from Me, you can do nothing. Nothing means nothing. Nothing of eternal value and nothing that is really good for others or ourselves.
When we start trying to live in our own strength and wisdom, we usually start seeing apathy, anger, fatigue, lack of confidence, becoming critical and judgmental of others, isolation, sin, no compassion, and no desire for God. However, when we continue to live in Jesus, connected to Him, we get love, joy, compassion, giving and receiving grace, generosity, peace, the ability to trust, discernment, creativity, vision, balance and focus. The things we do come out of the overflow of our life with God.
I'm not necessarily talking about living a life of sin. If there is sin in your life then deal with it. Repent and ask for forgiveness. But oftentimes we can try to do so many good things apart from Jesus, we just start going through the motions. Good is the enemy of best. I've found that "busy" is the new four letter word. Usually when you ask people how they're doing, they say, "I'm busy!" Life is so hectic and fast paced. We're running here and there trying to get all the things done we're supposed to do and never finishing. It goes faster and faster. Sometimes it can seem like we're just going in circles. Lot's of activity but no productivity.
What's the solution? To live in Him and Him in you. It begins with turning to Him fresh and new, surrending, repenting. It's kind of like rebooting your computer. A do over! Start over. Just talk with Jesus and tell Him what you're going through. Begin to spend time alone with Him. Pick a time and place without distractions. "Lord, please forgive me for being gone, apart from You. Wipe the slate clean and give me a fresh start. Fill me up. Let's reconnect. Let's walk through life together." The words aren't as important as your heart. Just be honest and pour out your heart to Him. Then allow Him to do what only He can do.
Look in your Bible and ask Him to speak to you. To give you a word to live by for today. When you finish with that time, remember that He goes with you. You're not alone. Think of Him being with you when you're going to work or school or wherever you need to go today. Someone said, "It doesn't matter what my circumstances are, I can be as sure of abiding in Jesus in them as in a prayer meeting. Jesus was abiding and He was at home with God wherever His body was placed." What a difference our lives would be if we live that way. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower and fill you to live today to the fullest and see what a difference there will be. If you start getting stressed or under pressure, focus back in on Jesus. Talk with Him. Ask Him to help or give you wisdom. He'll do it.
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