At church on Sunday, Pastor Dan looked at the beginning of John 15 and talked about where we spend our time and setting priorities. I highly recommend his sermon! You can see it here… https://youtu.be/K3InSki05vM?si=b-qjLdlJrd6dgm2A

In women’s ministry, tonight we begin the Christine Caine study, “Don’t Look Back”, in which we’ll talk about reclaiming (or refocusing) our direction forward in faith, also looking at the idea of where we spend our time and attention is where we are headed, right?

This is also what I have been studying since the beginning of the year as I work on flourishing and fruitfulness in my own life and ministry. My clergy mentor calls this “multiplication of complementary ends.”  You see, this topic keeps showing up, and I keep learning more and teaching more, and hopefully, we’re all getting something from it.

I want to look at John 15:4-5 this morning. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 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.“

We live in a culture that applauds hustle, celebrates packed calendars, and equates busyness with value. From sunrise to sunset, our days are filled with meetings, obligations, noise, and distractions. The pressure to do more and be more can be overwhelming.

But in the midst of this constant motion, Jesus gently invites us to something radically different: abide.

To abide means to stay, to dwell, to remain. It’s not a call to perform or produce. It’s a call to be. Jesus isn’t asking for more activity. He’s asking for intimacy. He’s not looking for your resume. He’s offering you rest.

When Jesus says, “apart from me you can do nothing,” He reminds us that spiritual fruit doesn’t grow out of effort, but out of connection. Like branches grafted into a vine, our strength, nourishment, and purpose flow from our relationship with Him.

Like I mentioned yesterday about living the Christian life, abiding is not passive, either. Abiding is intentional. It means prioritizing stillness with God in a world that glorifies movement. It means making space in our lives not just for doing things for God but for being with Him.

So today, pause. Take a deep breath. Let your heart rest in His presence. In a culture that rushes, choose to remain. And watch how fruit begins to grow, not from striving, but from staying.

What habits in your life help you stay connected to Jesus throughout your day? Are there areas where busyness has replaced abiding? How can you create space this week to simply dwell in His presence?