IGNITE: DAY 26

SCRIPTURE READING - DAY 26


John 15:4-8

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the
branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless
it abides in the vine, neither can you
unless you abide in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches.
Those who abide in me and I in them
bear much fruit, because apart from me
you can do nothing. Whoever does not
abide in me is thrown away like a branch
and withers; such branches are gathered,
thrown into the fire, and burned.

If you abide in me, and my words abide
in you, ask for whatever you wish, and
it will be done for you. My Father is
glorified by this, that you bear much fruit
and become my disciples. (NRSV)





MEDITATION BY Stan Troyer


Early in my ministry as a pastor of a small dying church, God granted me favor and prospered the work of my hands. The church grew and in the span of 10 years, our community was 10 times the original number of people. Things were going well when all of a sudden “the wheels came off” this thriving ministry. My character came under attack and I could not understand what was going on or why. In a short time, more than half of the people left.

Looking back on this experience nearly 20 years ago, I now see that doing ministry had hindered the development of my prayer life. In particular, I had allowed my need for approval to keep me in a cycle of “doing” and prevented me from pursuing my heart’s longings for God. When ministry went south, I was drawn back to sitting at the feet of Jesus and simply abiding in him.

Spiritual and personal transformation is ignited by the Holy Spirit as we abide in Jesus and Jesus abides in us. In John 15:4-8, Jesus describes two
different aspects of our relationship with him.

First, he says, “Abide in me...” Jesus invites us into a relationship of being with him. This is the prayer of silence, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is the place of surrender and stillness in the presence of God, enjoying God without demanding anything from him. This is our “first-order calling." Abiding in Jesus confronts my self-reliance. Here, I trust fully in the finished work of Jesus on the cross to atone for all of my sin and make me whole. This is the posture of ruthless trust and total surrender.

Second, Jesus says, “…as I abide in you.” Jesus in me empowers me for ministry. This is the action side of my relationship with God. In this posture, I advance the Kingdom of God and my doing is used to change lives. This is our “second-order calling.”

Through my experiences as a church leader, I have learned that when prayer and action are balanced, doing flows out of being. In this posture, I am freed from the need to find my significance in what I do. I am able to step out of the performance trap that I have lived much of my life in. Rather, I live to enjoy the sweet presence of God.

Being in Christ results in the presence of Jesus radiating from my life and impacting others. It ignites my doing, and I am able to live out my calling more effectively.




REFLECTION


Re-read the scripture text slowly twice, listening for God’s message to you. Take several minutes of silence between each reading.


What is the Holy Spirit saying to you now?


What steps will you take to live a more balanced life?