“The secret to fruit-bearing and anxiety free living is less about doing and more about abiding.”- Max Lucado
“Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”- John 15:4 (ESV)
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 10 of Anxious for Nothing as he underscores the secret to fruit-bearing and anxiety-free living. that secret? – more abiding, less doing. Lest we miss the point, Pastor Lucado observes, Jesus employs the word abide ten times in John 15:4-10. That’s ten times in seven verses.
Therefore, Jesus invites you to make His home your home. In addition, to be at home, Max states, is to:
- feel safe; home connotes refuge and security
- be comfortable and casual
- be familiar; you know where everything is
As a result, the author explains, your dominant duty as Christ’s disiple = to cling to the vine. Thus, changing the world and making a difference for Christ represent by-products of the focused Christian life. Our primary goal is fruit-bearing.
Consequenty, don’t load yourself down with lists or enhance your anxiety with fear. Rather, hold the hand of the One who never, ever lets go. In conclusion, then, Pastor Lucado describes how to disarm anxiety:
“How do we disarm anxiety? Stockpile our minds with God thoughts. Draw the logical implication: if birds and flowers fall under the category of God’s care, won’t he care for us as well? Saturate your heart with the goodness of God.”
Therefore, if you abide in Christ’s word, His truth sets you free from fear, dread, and anxiety.
Today’s question: How does abiding in Christ produce fruit-beaaring in your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: A pathway out of the valley of fret”