Abiding in Christ

Watching the news these days, seeing what people are going through, and knowing my own problems, it seems like life these days is filled with constant struggles and trials.  The trials can be physical, emotional, financial, and so on.  And the status of these things seems to change so quickly.  One day everything seems fine or getting better and the next everything seems like it's coming apart at the seams.  It's like the weather in some places.  On Tuesday, Avery and I went on a campus tour at the University of Washington; and within several hours, the weather changed from rainy to sunny to torrential downpour to dry again.  Regardless of what kind of weather you prefer, it was constantly changing on us.  But that's Seattle right?? 

These struggles in life, and the constant ups and downs, can make us anxious.  I know it does for me especially when I try to deal with these things on my own.  The book of James talks about not being "blown and tossed by the wind" by the trials in our lives.  Therefore, we need to anchor ourselves.  As believers, we need to stay tethered to Christ and walk with Him.  Jesus said in John 15:4-5, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I 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."

Abiding implies a close, ongoing relationship with Christ.  It means staying connected to Him through praying, reading the Bible, coming to church to worship, serve, and fellowship; and doing these things on a regular basis.  The trials of life may not go away but our ability to handle these things and "weather the storms of life" is greatly enhanced as we abide in Him and He abides in us.

God bless,

Pastor Darren