Remain

I love the idea of having a word for the year...a word that speaks something special to your soul, a word you want to chew on for that entire year.

My word for 2018 has been "remain." I didn't choose this word; I believe God chose it for me. "Remain" has been pressing into me since the beginning of this year, even before I realized how much I would indeed need to remain throughout the coming months.

John 15:4 records Jesus saying "Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me."

Remain... Stay with. Cling to. Abide in. Hide within.

Even when my heart felt like it was breaking. Even when depression raised its ugly head and fought against my mind. Even when unexpected things came up and my life got flipped upside down.

Even then...remain.

Remain in God. Remain in His words. Remain in His love for me. Remain in His truth.

Even when I doubt. Even when I'm afraid. Even when I want to run away. Even when nothing looks like it should. Even when I don't understand what God is doing.

Even then...remain.

The lessons to be learned from this one word are hard. I'm still learning them. Seven months into 2018 and I've barely scratched the surface of what this word means. Maybe it's more of a life word. Maybe the truth of it can't even be learned completely but is something that has to slowly seep into my soul over a lifetime of trusting even when.

But I love that it's not all on me. This remaining thing is Jesus's plan for me, but also for Himself. "Remain in me, and I in you." He will stay with me even when I don't deserve it, even when I'm confused, even when I don't have the strength to trust Him, even when I'm angry. He will show me how to remain by how He remains. He doesn't leave my side...not ever. His love is strong enough...even when. His peace will carry me through...always, no matter what.

Remain. I in Him and He in me. Day after day, year after year, this life into eternity.

🌸❤

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