Good Word Friday Theme: Abide

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

This month, we are talking about abiding in Christ. “Abide” means to remain, continue, dwell, live. Today’s verse from John paints a famous picture of what it looks like to abide in Christ.

Imagine a grapevine. It’s strong and robust. Its job is to support its branches by constantly supplying nutrients. When a branch is healthy, it produces delicious fruit by the bunch.

Jesus Christ is the vine, and we are the branches, ever-connected, always drawing nutrients from the vine. Everything we receive overflows into a fruitful, blessed life.

This past year, we’ve all felt disconnected at one point or another — from loved ones, from church, from work, from travel, from routine, from spontaneity, you name it. Perhaps this isolation has left us dry and weak.

When you think about it, though, all through this time of physical isolation, we’ve remained connected to something, drawing from something, abiding in something.

Have I been abiding in Netflix during this pandemic? Abiding in Facebook or Twitter? Abiding in food? Abiding in anxiety? Hopefully not! (But maybe a little?)

As Christmas draws near, let’s reconnect to our Lord and Savior, the only healthy source of strength and nourishment. Let’s abide in His love, His comfort, and His peace. Let’s let it fill our homes and our hearts, refreshing us, supplying us, reviving us — for tomorrow, the next day, and every day after.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.