Reflecting on changes 2020 brought in daily living, relationships, and celebrations, each one of us can look back on disappointments—the trip that didn’t happen; or the opposite-sweet moments where we had smiles –finally hugging grandchildren. Perhaps we felt a sense of accomplishment– reading books, organizing and cleaning closets, or finally placing photos in albums..
We approached 2021 with a new calendar, planner, and fresh start. We’re all looking for changes, hoping this year will be better. Maybe you set goals and made resolutions. We want growth in relationships and look forward to new opportunities to be together. Any of these are good thoughts and noble practices, but each attempt to move forward must hold one thing: remaining.
“What? Remaining?
We spent most of 2020 remaining! We sheltered in place, were quarantined; and if we left home, remained in our color-coded church pew or at a table six feet apart in a restaurant. We still use zoom and not face to face meetings. We remain captive to the demands of the pandemic.”
Remaining and moving forward seem contradictory, but in John 15:1-10, Jesus repeats the word “remain” eleven times. Without remaining, we can’t “do” and move forward. Without remaining, we can’t become. If we are becoming, we are changing and moving. Without remaining, He tells us, we won’t see good results. Unless we remain, we can’t know His heart, direction, and purposes. And when we discover those, we move forward and are hopeful.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)
In the month of love and heart, let’s seek to remain in His love and know His heart. Dig out your list of resolutions and goals. Take a look at your calendar and think about your hopes and seek His perspective. Read John 15. The world defines success in different tangible ways, some with headlines and awards. Our mindset of success can be to move forward yet remain…in Him.
Let’s pray to develop the desire and practice to stay in His presence— to listen and walk with Him, to have Him as the constant in our lives, and to abide and remain.
What are your practices and mindset to keep you in a place of remaining?
And how has that led you to move forward?
This concept seems so obvious now that you’ve shared it, but I have not previously dwelled on the vital importance of “remaining.” Of course, I’m familiar with John 15:5, but I think I just took it for granted. Now that I think more on the practice of “remaining” with/in Jesus, I recognize that remaining is essential to establish and maintain Jesus as our foundation. Even as we move through various stages of our spiritual live, we must always focus on that action (and it does take conscious action) of remaining in Jesus. What a thought provoking message, Marilyn. Thank you!
Katherine, as one who knows grief, I felt this concept helped me moved forward the more I remained and abided, rather than pushed myself to “do”. My shape changed even when I was still and remaining. Marilyn
Yes; let us “remain.” Oh, how this post speaks to me. Rather than allowing Satan to nudge me towards frustration, disappointment, and anger, I must look at these lingering challenges, not as challenges but as opportunities. Amen! Love, love, love this post Ms. Marilyn. Thank you for brightening what has been a pretty challenging day!
Thank you! Always enriched when I read a post is meaningful to a reader.Marilyn
Marilyn, I know it’s important to remain in Christ, to abide. But I’d never thought of remaining to move forward. I often write prayers after I read Scripture which helps me do both. This statement holds much wisdom: “Let’s pray to develop the desire and practice to stay in His presence— to listen and walk with Him, to have Him as the constant in our lives, and to abide and remain.”
I know Jeannie–likewise! When I “saw” that concept I realized how much I move forward in my walk when I abide. It seems contradictory, but is complimentary. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for sharing. I know that passage in the NKJV and love the idea of abiding (remaining in NIV) in God’s love. If I abide in God’s love, if I live where He does, than no matter where I am – sitting in quarantine or moving ahead, I am always where I need to be.