The past few weeks have been full of sweet moments. So many, in fact, that if I try to remember them all, I will inevitably miss the sweetest ones. So, take my word for it: February was good stuff. God has been teaching me so much. About rest, and life, and people, and the plans He has for me. All of which I have been fervently seeking to be faithful in. That's all I want. All I want from this life is for Him to be proud of me as His daughter...glorified as I live and love and serve. Among the things He's teaching me, He has brought me back to one word over and over and over: ABIDE.
The word 'abide' has been defined as the following...
...To wait patiently for.
...To withstand.
...To remain in a place.
...To continue to be sure or firm; endure.
...To dwell or sojourn.
You find this word a great deal in Scripture, more specifically in the New Testament and in Christ's teachings...
In John 15:9 Christ says, "For as the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. So abide in my love." Earlier in that very same chapter, in verse 4, He says, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." In 1 John 4:16, John states, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..."
Over and over I see this call to dwell in God's love...this affirming truth that if He is who He says He is, and we know Him as we say we know Him, that this abiding is part of each of our lives as believers. In order to offer sweet and tangible proof of our faith...in order to bear fruit and live lives worthy of the good news...in order to live as God created us to live: one with Him.
Are you abiding in Him, dear friend? He so deeply wants you to do so. To wait patiently for His plans and His return. To withstand all that is against you as He stands with you. To remain in a restful, content place of peace with Him. To stand firm in His power. To endure with perseverance the race that you are running. And to dwell in His love.
Let His love seep into your heart. Let His power be yours. Abide in His love.
Kaylie, Thank you so much for this reminder! So frequently we get caught up in the busyness of life that we miss the quiet ones where is love envelopes us. Thank you for reminding me to abide in my Savior's love and to wait on His plan! :)
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