Before and after pictures. Usually, they’re trying to sell you something. The before picture is horrible: chin tucked, gut protruding and posture that my grandmother would correct in 2.2 seconds. Then after drinking, using, applying, etc., the magical after picture. Lift the chin, suck in the belly and for goodness sakes, stand up straight. The promise is, you don’t have to work at it. No discipline, no sweat, no deprivation of the flesh. Just swallow this big lie – it’s easy. But that’s not the power of abiding.
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life – to God! – is vigorous and requires total attention.” Matthew 7 13-14 (MSG)
Jesus isn’t a quick fix
Before I boarded the plane to the east coast for a speaking engagement, my daughter said, “Mom, don’t tell them ‘Everything was hard, then Jesus. Now it’s all wonderful.’” No baby, I won’t. I know better. And here’s the thing, so do you.
Deep down in your sucked in gut, you know that this life isn’t easy. You may have seasons of coasting, but eventually life gets hard. Then Jesus.
Yeah, I need Jesus like I need air to breathe. But His word promises that those hard times teach us to truly know Him and His power.
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” Philippians 1:29 (NIV)
The hard work of abiding
Abiding is a sweet word that sounds like sitting comfortably in someone’s lap. I’ll give you my cell number right now if you can tell me how to do that. For me, it’s work.
Don’t get me wrong, I can suck it in and stand up straight with the best of them. Looking like I lost 10 pounds of gossip, worry, hatefulness and bitterness overnight by quoting a Bible verse. If I tried, I could convince you it’s easy. But if you bought into that, you’d quit wasting your time as soon as you figured out it doesn’t work for you. For the record, it doesn’t work for any of us.
Flexing flaccid muscles instantly gives me definition, but real strength comes from real hard work. Please don’t misunderstand me, we cannot earn righteousness. Let me say it again, our righteous acts are filthy rags. There’s a more than a subtle difference between the work needed to abide and trying to please God in our own strength.
The power of abiding
Sometimes abiding feels more like a boxing match that I’m losing. Ultimately though, if I simply stay in the fight, I’m winning. When I’m knocked down, I’m not knocked out for good, because He is the lifter of my head.
“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3 (NIV)
What you see
You see the cleaned up, flexed version of most people, but underneath we are usually still fighting the fleshly fat that nothing can fix overnight. Abiding is an ongoing process. It’s expensive; it costs time and effort and great sacrifice, but it’s worth it. And Christ paid it all so you and I could experience His tender love and presence. Abide sweet friends, abide. It’s worth the fight.
Thanks Vickie. Your words are so true. May God continue to bless you and your writing.
Thank you. And may my words bless others.
I had been a follower for years, thru the illness and eventual death of a husband, widowhood and remarriage. I had heard you speak in Dover, had spoken to you.
Last Saturday I received your blog post, the first in forever when I needed it most. Now, another this Saturday. I don’t know why they stopped, I didn’t notice really but I need them now.
Bless you always,
Terri
This is one of the most important comments I’ve ever received. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. Maybe my next post should be an explanation…
I have not been getting your post lately, until last week. I had missed them very much. God Bess you. Kathy
I too have missed your writings, glad to receive the insights these last couple of weeks! Timely!
Thanks Vickie, I know everything you are saying is true, as I walk through this MS journey I MUST rely on God. Like you, I can suck in and stand straight with the best of them, but it’s in the moments when I am alone with my thoughts that it tends to come at me strong. However, I have this hope and his name is Jesus and he continues to give me a promise of my healing. So, for now I will stand and trust that my healing is present and I just need to be still and know. The scripture that I am clinging to is Numbers 23:19 (NLT) “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”