ABiding
Jesus says in John 15:4–5:
"Abide in me, and I in you … I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
At the heart of this teaching is an invitation to rest—not the kind of rest that comes only after a long week or a completed to-do list, but the kind of rest that comes from belonging. From the very beginning, God showed us this rhythm in creation. He worked for six days and then rested, not because he was weary, but because he was satisfied. And as his children, we too are invited to live from that place of rest.
But rest doesn’t come easy. Worry so often takes its place. We imagine a future without Jesus in it, and our hearts grow anxious. That’s exactly what the disciples felt when Jesus told them he was leaving. They were confused, fearful, and full of questions. Yet into their worry, Jesus spoke peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
This is the good news—peace isn’t something we have to manufacture. Peace is a gift. Peace is a Person. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s own presence is with us and within us. He reminds us who we are: not orphans left to figure out life on our own, but sons and daughters who are loved, secure, and never abandoned.
Abiding, then, is not about working harder. It’s about slowing down enough to receive. It’s about letting God reshape our anxious imaginations. It’s about rejoicing in him, praying honestly, giving thanks for his goodness, and entrusting our worries into his hands.
When we abide, we remember:
We don’t rest because we’ve earned it—we rest because we belong.
We don’t release worry because we’re strong enough—we release worry because God abides in us.
We don’t face tomorrow alone—Jesus is already there.
So let us lean into the Father’s love. Let us breathe deep the peace Jesus gives. And let us live as his children—resting, abiding, and bearing fruit in him.
✦ Reflection Questions:
Where in your life are you most tempted to let worry take over?
What practices—like prayer, thanksgiving, or Sabbath rest—help you experience God’s peace?
How might it change your outlook this week to remember that Jesus abides in you, not just the other way around?
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