Week 27: ABIDING

Abiding.  Nothing is more important in our daily life.

My wife and I were recently sharing our stories of how Jesus rescued us, and how we responded to the choice to give our lives to Him.  I recounted that, though salvation was unmistakable the summer before 4^th grade, my relationship with the Lord didn’t really GROW until about 7^th grade.  During a spring retreat with my youth group, I began to journal and worship – and really understand what a daily time along with God looked like. 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

Looking back on the last 24 years, it is this tradition of daily setting aside time to be with the One who loves me more than anything that has been my strength.  From the days in High School when I would come home in turmoil and find refuge in the Psalms, to asking the Lord whether to ask Nicole to be my first girlfriend, to becoming a young adult making decisions on my own, to navigating life purpose – being a husband, father, and influencer, to taking the plunge in the great adventure of starting Camp Refuge, each daily time alone with my Creator has been transformative.  I can’t imagine my life without this centering practice.

Special Focus:  Pray you would recognize the call of the Lord to get away to spend time alone with Him.  There is no situation in your life that wouldn’t benefit from His peace, power, and perspective.