Teach Me to Abide, Lord
John 15:4 “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.”
When I first began praying about how to live a life abiding in Christ, God gave me a visual that I will never forget.
I was pregnant with my first son, my very first baby, and I was so excited! I was constantly aware of the sweet little life growing inside me. Everything I did revolved around nurturing him. I felt every kick and every movement. I researched all the best ways to care for him, ate the right foods, took prenatal vitamins, avoided laying on my back (no matter how uncomfortable it was), and gave up things I loved like turkey meat and sushi. I even avoided medicine when I was sick. Why? Because I would do anything to protect and nourish that little life.
As the months passed, my baby grew and eventually came into the world as a healthy, living child.
God showed me that this is what it’s like to have the Holy Spirit inside of us: new life! Only now, it’s Christ in me. The divinity of the Godhead literally lives within us! We have personal access to all of His goodness, His strength, His power, and His glory, because He dwells in us. Resting in Him, abiding in Him, and letting Him be our strength is where we truly come alive in Christ.
It makes me wonder: Are we just as aware of Him in us as we were when we carried our children? Or are we too busy going about our days, checking off lists, and managing the hustle?
When life gets busy, it’s easy to start functioning out of our flesh. I remember being pregnant with my youngest son. I still loved him dearly, but I wasn’t as aware of his movements because I was distracted, chasing after my two other kids and managing all the chaos. I may have eaten a little sushi, slept on my back (only for a few minutes!), and lifted my 30-pound five-year-old several times a day. But even in the busyness, that baby was alive and active in me. My awareness and focus had just shifted.
But then, in quiet moments, if I paused, I could feel his presence. I could sense his little kicks and be reminded of the life growing inside me.
This is much like abiding in Christ.
When we pause and rest in the Lord’s presence within us, when we dwell in Him as He dwells with us, this is where we find freedom. This is where we find victory. Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice,” and He leads us to springs of living water. This voice is not foreign to our spirit—it’s the voice of our Father within us.
This isn’t something mystical, it’s deeply practical. Our job is to be in His presence so often that we recognize His voice, even in the noise. And when we train ourselves, little by little, to function from that place of inner rest, we will bear much fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will flow naturally from within.
We will learn to yield to God, to live from His strength, not our own. Resting in and abiding in the vine within us. Surrendering our own strength, and learning to draw on His.
Let’s Pray:
Lord Jesus, we are so very thankful for Your Spirit within us. Teach us to be aware of You and to abide in You moment by moment. I ask that these truths take deep root in the hearts of these precious women. Help us to abide in You, so we can live lives full of abundant rest.
With love,
Shanna Henry and the Help Club for Moms team
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