Abide in Christ: The Sixth Day

Abide in Christ

by Andrew Murray

God Himself has united you to Him
My Father is the Husbandman. - John 15:1
 

"God would have us not only remember our union to Christ, but specially that it is not our own doing, but the work of God Himself."

 

"Take time, day after day, and let, in thy whole religious life with all it has of claims and duties of needs and wishes, God be everything."

 

God be everything- Theology that is easy to say. We learn it very early on as young children, if we grow up in church.  God made everything. God is in charge of everything.  God cares about everything.  All of life's meaning is God.

 

God be everything - Practicality that is hard to live. We are so self-reliant.  We want to do everything and be everything we should.  Instead, we find ourselves completely empty and inadequate.  Letting go of our Independence is a daily "dying" that is hard to do, but a necessity.  Learning to abide does not mean more work for me to do.  It means that I have the GOD of the UNIVERSE, tending to my abiding.  It is His work - this abiding.  He will sustain, He will hold, He will finish. 

What does that mean for me today? I have laundry to put away. I have dinner to cook. I have children to teach. What does it mean to me on a personal level, when I struggle with discontentment, doubt, or anger? It means that I need not give up when I fail.  I need not try harder when I fail.  It means that when I fail: look to God and depend on Him for strength.  Strength for the physical things (vacuuming, diapers, and dishes) - Strength for the emotional things (doubt, fear, anger) - Strength for the spiritual things (abiding).

Lord, I do not know how to be the mother and wife I need to be.  I fail all day long. You promised that the calling, equipping, and working were all of You. Let me humble myself and rest in You. Amen. 

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"Abide in Christ" by Andrew Murray