“Stand still. Don’t. Move.”
It’s something I’ve said to my children over the years in several different situations. Whether it be swatting a stinging bug off of their head or keeping them from carelessly jumping into a busy street.
When I say it, I mean it and it’s for their protection.
In John 15:9, we read Jesus saying these words to His kids. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
Remain in my love.
Jesus is being blatantly clear on where we should abide as His children.
Don’t. Move.
Why? Because as he says a few verses before, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” Obviously, we can still do things, but Jesus, as He always is speaks here of things of eternal value.
We read the results of remaining a bit further down in the text.
>>> We will have joy. (John 15:11)
>>> We will love others as He loves us. (John 15:12)
>>>We will have a friendship with the one true King. (John 15:14)
>>>We will bear fruit that will last. (John 15:16)
Confession: Sometimes I feel like God doesn’t love me because of my circumstances. Pain, loss, and disappointment can all tempt us to RUN from His love, not REMAIN in it. In fact, those very words have come out of my mouth from deep places of pain in my heart.
Who wants to remain in a love that can hurt so deeply? A love that doesn’t guarantee circumstances that I’m uncomfortable with?
A love that sent this same Jesus to a bloody cross…
...and a glorious resurrection.
I’ll tell you who. Someone who knows the lover.
As we get to know His intentions and believe He is who He says He is in His word, we will begin to shutter at the thought of NOT remaining in His love. We know it is our only TRUE place of safety and rest. Every other place we try to create only leaves us epically disappointed.
We aren’t good at remaining, being still and abiding in one place for a long period of time. So, what might it look like to remain in Jesus’ love? As His children, it’s important that we know.
There are a few things I’m intentional about practicing to “remain in His love.”
I force myself to be completely honest with Him about what is going on and how I’m feeling. I stop hiding from Him. He already knows anyway.
I make time to read His word. It’s there if I look for it. I stop avoiding His presence.
Then I believe what He says in it. I stop rejecting truth.
The choice is clear for me today. Will I be a “runner” or a “remainer?” (totally made that word up just for you… you’re welcome ;-))
Let today, the first day of 2020, be the day you’re a child who trusts their parent’s command…
Remain in His love. It’s for our best. There are no better words to begin 2020 with.
Cheering you on Always,
Kendra
#whenhopeisreal #neverwithouthope