“5I 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.” — John 15:5 (ESV)
The above is my favorite verse. It has been so for many years. Although, it has been, I have been led here this morning as I study the word “joy” still.
“10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” — John 15:10-11 (ESV)
The above verses are where I was led this morning, and my learning was combined with what I already knew. I have to abide in God to accomplish all that He has for me. When I am engaged with God and His plans for me, I have His backing, support, guidance, and provision in the working of His plans. I will have no trouble accomplishing the tasks He has for me. I have to remember also that the result of His plan may not be what I expected. I may see success in the task as one thing, and God knows it to be something else entirely. I have to abide in Him to know that the result is that of God’s design and not for me and my expectations.
And this is where the new learning comes in. When I abide in God, I am led down the path He has for me and not the one I want for myself. God leads me to receive that which I need and not that which I want and desire. I have to be fully open to the receipt of my needs and not get so focused on that which I want. It is in the accepting of all that God is and provides for my needs that I am able to be content and ultimately find joy, and ultimately finding that my joy will be full.
The love of God is amazing. Knowing that He is fully engaged in and with me in spite of me. He unconditionally devotes Himself to me at my every turn. I have to do the same. I have to remember that it is His will to be done and not mine. I am a brother of Christ and just as Jesus surrendered to God’s will on the cross, I have to surrender to His will in this world and in all situations that are, frankly, much less than death. It is in my surrender to God and my love for Him, unconditionally, that I will find the joy that He has for me in this world and can carry forward to heaven where I will find my final reward.
I have to abide in God and submit to Him and all that He has for me. When I do, I will find, not just joy, but full joy that will carry me through this world and into my eternal life with Him.
What does your relationship with God look like and reveal? Are you really allowing Him to take over your life and drive your work? What if you where to abide in God and follow Him fully and unconditionally as He does with you so that you are able to find the full joy He has for you?
Trevor's Thoughts 