Abiding in Him means to remain in Him. He is the one who produces the fruit in our lives. It is not through our own power or strength. Of course, He has given us natural gifts, talents and abilities, but the supernatural fruit comes from His source alone. If we want to go above and beyond anything we could ever accomplish on our own, we must be vigilant in choosing to abide in Him.
Remaining in Him means trusting Him to give us the nourishment we need to thrive, allowing Him to be our complete source for those nutrients, rather than trying to outsource it from some false, manufactured supplement from the world. We must learn to become entirely dependent upon Him, the vine, for our well-being. Completely surrendering to His will, His way, His plan, His words. This keeps us on track towards a life that thrives and blooms, in time, with the fruit He wants us to bear.
We are all truly here for a purpose. We are here to use our natural gifts and talents, in whatever way we can, in order to love and serve others, bringing Him the glory and others to Him in the process. Obviously, that looks different for each and every individual . That’s why it’s so very important not to compare our journey with anyone else’s. We are uniquely and individually created and only we can do what we were assigned to do. It’s easy for us to get bogged down in the ditch we are in, thinking we have no talents to share. We think we have blown it, we are useless, it’s gone too far to get out of where we are. In the process of the pity-party, we lose our way, thinking meaningful work can’t happen in the darkest of situations. But, that’s not true. We’ve been told time and time again that the devil is a liar, and he is. He wants us to feel useless. He wants us to feel defeated, like we can’t get out of the ditch. Do Not let him steal your life, your value, your fruit.
This writing project, for me, has been my purposeful outlet in a time where I don’t find much Joy or meaning in the daily work I do to make a living. I have found that it carries over into my day, allowing me to “practice“ these words in an active and living way on the others I am surrounded by. It changes my mindset and focus from the problems I have to a more positive outlook about what’s to come. We may be riddled with anxiety, overwhelm, burnout and exhaustion, but better days are coming. Choosing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control right where I am, IS my calling, for now.
Until God places me in another career, position, or situation, using what I have in the moment, learning, preparing for more and greater opportunities, is my purpose in the now. I read somewhere that when opportunity knocks, it’s too late to get ready. We must be ready for it when it comes. What are we preparing for? That’s what we need to be focused on. When God is ready to open the door, and he will, in his perfect timing, we must be prepared. Make out a game plan and a vision for what that looks like. Let’s get busy preparing, strengthening, learning and trusting. He is coming, but we have to have ourselves ready for the moment of arrival.
Daily reading of scripture and studying His word, getting ourselves in the best physical, mental, and spiritual shape of our lives, will enable us to carry on until help arrives. He will provide what we need to thrive. He will lift us up and out if we trust Him to help us. Be inspired by that purpose, for now…. To love and serve others, strengthening ourselves and preparing for opportunity. Let that fuel you in this moment of being stuck, expanding your mind beyond this temporary setback, to imagine the possibilities to come. Allow God to do His work in us, on us, for us, in the season of waiting. Maybe, just maybe, we will discover in the process that we are made of far more strength, determination, talent and capability than we ever realized. If we abide in Him, drawing from His source of strength, rather than our own, He will reveal to us that we are capable of far more than we can even imagine. Just. Trust. Him.
Are you starting your day with a Morning Routine? Let’s talk about that tomorrow.
A FRUITFUL LEGACY 