What Does It Mean To Abide?
Every day we go through different experiences, from good to bad and everywhere in between. There are times and places where it is much easier to abide, such as a dedicated morning prayer time or an event at a church. There are the opposite extremes, like trying to abide in a moment of fear or during an argument. That is why we built this devotional ministry around a rhythm of morning prayer. We have to learn how to be in his presence when the conditions are set for us, and we have boundaries and helpers.
Fully Abiding
But it is important to begin asking a simple question in every situation. What does it mean to abide here? What does it look like to be connected to God while at the football game? What is abiding like when I’m driving home from work?
I encourage you not to choose an answer that is just technically crossing the line into abiding. Go the other direction and try to imagine what it would look like for you to be fully abiding in every moment.
Of course, we will probably not figure out how to be perfect in every situation, but we can start somewhere. We can have an open ear to the Lord to be ready to hear his leading and prompting. If you listen, you will hear him guiding you and inviting you to abide in just the right situations.
Desiring God
Sometimes it is tempting to strive toward abiding. We might try with everything we have to stay abiding and figure out how to connect to God at all times, but most of us do not have that capacity for self-will, and those who do find themselves miserably forcing themselves to think about God. Neither is really abiding.
Going further in the journey is about confessing our need and desire to be close to God. It is about responding to his invitation in John 15:4 ESV, where he says, “Abide in me, and I in you.” It is about choosing to depend on him to lead you and guide you.
So as you go through your day, allow the Holy Spirit to invite you deeper into your journey of abiding and begin asking the question throughout your day, “What does it mean to abide?”
