“Abide in me, and I in you.” Barely awake, I glanced at my phone one recent morning and saw these words in a  pop-up notification for that day’s daily devotion. I smiled because the words seemed fresh, as if Jesus was speaking His words from John 15:4 directly in response to my scattered thoughts — beckoning me, reminding me, to make Him my first priority.

I get distracted by so many things. I’m one of those people who likes to make to-do lists, and I have many. I’m the type that feels like I’ve had a good day, or a good week, if I can cross things off those lists, and I get frustrated and start feeling cranky and behind when I can’t get it all done (which is usually the case). I seem to be in a perpetual struggle of trying to juggle my time and my priorities, and that alone can be exhausting.

That’s why when I saw those words pop up on my phone I felt like Jesus was saying to me, “Hey, over here – remember me? Don’t forget your need to abide in me!” To abide means to remain or continue, so in other words I needed to return to my “first love” (see Revelation 3:4), and nurture my relationship with the Lord, continually. How? By doing the one thing that is necessary:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

I just love that story, and I can so relate. I’m definitely a Martha, but I want to be more like Mary. I want to “sit at His feet” and learn from Him — unrushed and unhurried. I don’t know why it’s hard at times to do the things that I know will make me feel better – from eating healthy, to exercising regularly, and yes, to spending quality time in God’s Word and in prayer.

But I thought you did read the Bible? I thought you did say prayers? Don’t you write about that on your blog? Yes … but for me sometimes I find that I’m doing these things to check them off my to-do list, or I’m rushing instead of taking the time to really let His words wash over me and sink in – remaining there at His feet for a while, continuing in His presence as I feast upon His words. Too often, I admit, I fall into the trap of going through the motions – better than not doing it at all, for sure, but my time in the Word and prayer is so much richer when my heart is right before Him and I am motivated by love rather than duty.

Mark and Lori’s last posts both resonated with me. I was reminded of God’s daily provision of the nourishment my soul needs in “Our Daily Bread.” And reading Lori’s post, “Hitting Close to Home,” with so much going on in our country and the world right now it’s easy to get discouraged and distracted by the daily onslaught, with the accompanying pressure on our minds and emotions by all of the chaos that seems to be closing in. That’s why for me, more than anything, my goal is to strive daily to do the one thing that is necessary, because apart from my relationship with the Lord, I will not be able to stand strong.

As Christians, a continual effort at nurturing and growing in our relationship with the Lord should be our top priority, but it can be hard. We have so many distractions in this world – good and bad — and we have our own stubborn natures that are prone to desire lesser things. Whether Jesus comes in my lifetime, or whether I meet him face to face when my time on earth is done, my goal is to abide in Christ, and for those times when I stumble or stray or get distracted, once I come to my senses I’ll just plug right back in to where I need to be and keep moving forward. Especially now with everything that is happening around us. I realize that this should be a goal whether Jesus is coming soon or in hundreds of years (something I can’t conceive of). To me it’s like planning a wedding or trip or any big event. A year or so out you pick a date and mark the calendar, and start making general plans. Then as the date approaches, you start honing in and refining those plans, paying more attention to detail. As the date gets even closer, you really want to be ready and have everything in order. That’s how I feel about where we are right now. I sense His return is imminent — meaning in my lifetime. I sense it because I see the signs coming together as never before, and I’m not alone in this belief. So even though I don’t know exactly when this will occur, I believe the date is approaching and it makes all the difference in how I view my life’s priorities.

I know some of my friends wonder why we write about all this negative stuff. Others wonder why even watch the news at all, since it’s only depressing. Well, the bottom line is this – all of this negative stuff, the things that the Bible says will take place — are actually markers to show us where we are in history and pointing to something better if you are a believer. We think it’s a privilege to possibly be part of the generation that will visibly see Jesus return. We believe everything that is happening is pointing to that fact. Jesus told us the signs to watch for and He told us to watch and be ready. And, as much as some don’t want to hear about all this “negativity,” for those who haven’t trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior, we believe the events happening now are warnings of the judgment to come. We’re just trying in our own small way to speak up and share with those who don’t realize there is a purpose to all of that is happening. I think the ratcheting up of events we haven’t witnessed in our lifetime will be wake up calls for many. We want to share the truth even though it’s uncomfortable, because we want to ultimately point others to the true hope found in Christ Jesus.

Admittedly, it’s hard watching everything that is happening. Abiding in Christ is how I choose to cope in these uncertain days. It is possible to find true rest and true peace in the midst of trying times. It is my prayer that you will find your rest and peace in Him as well.

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:1-2)

Holding fast,

Lisa

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. (1 John 2:28)

^{Photography by Samantha Sophia}