I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. - John 15:5 (AMP)
I don't know about you but I really struggled to get into this new year.
Normally I love thinking ahead and planning for the year, but in the first week of January I just felt completely flat and unmotivated. I'm not sure on all the reasons why - probably a mixture of tiredness, confusion, and a little disappointment from some things that happened last year.
Part of me struggled to look ahead and be excited about this year, even with the things God had put on my heart.
But I found so much grace and healing in just being transparent with God about it all. And God really brought me back to what it's actually all about - relationship with Him, and knowing that it's Him who satisfies me and not the things I think I need to do or have in place for this year. That has given me so much rest and peace.
In the verse I shared at the beginning, Jesus is talking about remaining in Him, which is talking about consistency - staying in a place of union and fellowship with Him. Because without that, we can't step into the things He has for us. We can do things our way and in our own effort, but those things won't bring true satisfaction and rest and very often lead to burn out.
A key to remaining in Him is found in verse 9 where Jesus says, "I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]." (AMP)
It comes down to a place of knowing that we're loved. The extent to which we know and actually believe that we are loved by God, is the extent that we remain in Him.
Many of us are feeling the pressure to do more, be more, and live up to other people's expectations, because often that's where we find our worth. But it diverts our focus from what actually matters - knowing Jesus.
It's out of a place of knowing who Jesus is and being confident that you're loved, that it then starts to affect all these other areas of your life, and even your dreams and desires.
I want to finish with what Jesus says in John 15: 7-8, "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples."
God delights and is glorified when you walk in His promises and your life becomes an expression of His goodness - but that only comes from a place of rest in a daily relationship with Him.
I'm praying that this will encourage you and that you will be intentional in seeking and knowing God more this year, and in turn living from a place of rest in your relationship with Him.
Kelly :)