Debb Hackett

ABIDE, by Kimberley Woodhouse

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 NKJV

I love that word abide. To me it just sounds beautiful. Maybe because it’s not a word we use much anymore, or maybe it’s because the meaning has so much depth. In English, (according to Merriam-Webster) it means: to bear patiently, to endure without yielding, to wait for, to accept without objection. All paint a picture in my mind of a relationship that is priceless, loving, and perfect. The NASB uses the word remain and the meanings bring even more complexity: to be a part not destroyed, taken, or used up; to be something yet to be shown, done, or treated; to stay in the same place or with the same person or group; to continue unchanged.

I am a Bible study geek. At least, that’s what my friends call me. My love of this started before I can even remember when my father was in seminary and apparently all of us kids would go study “Geek” (couldn’t say “Greek”) with Daddy—crayons in our pockets and lots of paper to practice and “study” on. I’ve been a word-study nerd ever since.

So it should be no surprise that abide makes me giddy in my Greek-word-study-geekiness. Go ahead and giggle with me. It’s okay. 

Powerful punch

Used four times in those two verses, that little word packs a powerful punch. I posted a sticky note on my bathroom mirror that is only three little words. “Abide in Me.”  I can do nothing—I can bear no fruit—without abiding in Him. Jesus used the illustration of a vine and branches—which if you study about grapes and vinedressers, is absolutely incredible. But after the first sermon I ever heard on this passage, I created a unique picture in my mind. What a child could understand at the time, a picture that is still there today. I see myself gently wrapped in God’s giant hands, like a child swinging in a hammock. Wrapped up in His love, safe in His protection, totally reliant and trusting on Him for my every need. 

To me, that’s abiding. There’s no need for me to jump out and try to take control or do things on my own. Because I’m abiding. I’m remaining. 

Man, as a control-freak, I need that reminder umpteen times a day. If I could stop fretting, striving, and trying to do things on my own—if I would simply abide—I imagine the fruit produced would be overflowing.

I want to bear much fruit. How about you?

Grabbing onto JOY,

Kimberley

*For my fellow nerds: The Greek word here is μείνατε, which transliterated for English is menō    (it’s the aorist imperative active for those of you who want to race and go do a word study.)*

Meet Kimberley…

 

To find out more about Kim’s books, follow her on social media, and sign up for her newsletter/blog, visit her website. 

Enjoy more more of The Word on Wednesday, here.