Nancy Taylor Tate
It has been our delight to attend a series on “The Abiding Life” and what it means for us to abide in Christ. The first message, “The Secret to Transformation,” caught everyone’s attention and expressed the desire of many.
As the pastor said, transformation is not the result of trying harder. It is the result of staying connected to Jesus. Our responsibility is not to manufacture fruit. Transformation comes through staying close to Jesus. As we stay close to Him, we become like the One we are spending time with.
Jesus said it like this:
“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.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4–5 (ESV)
My husband and I often take an evening walk in our neighborhood. We would pass by a little barren tree that had been planted several years prior. It always looked dead to us. It never grew or bore leaves, and we always wondered if they had ever watered it.
Then one day we saw some supports around the tree. We think they must have watered and fertilized it too, because new branches with bright green leaves began to grow at the base of the tree. That skinny little trunk was still connected to the root, and there was life in that root!
As we watched, because of the life in the root, we saw what had looked like a barren stick in the ground move towards becoming a beautiful tree. We were amazed. What a transformation! It reminded me afresh how important it is we stay connected to Jesus so His life can flow through us.
As the pastor talked about the secret of transformation, his stated goal was not to give us more information, but to encourage us to experience something more in our walk with the Lord … something that would bring lasting change in our lives.
Does that sound as good to you as it does to me? I am thankful for all the Lord has done in me and for all the changes He has brought through the years.
Yet 1 John 4:17 says, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as He is, so are we in this world.” I can’t say that yet! I look forward to all He would yet do, as I stay connected to Christ and continue to grow in my walk and relationship with Him.
Who am I becoming? I am thankful for each day God gives me, that I might continue to choose His ways and allow His working in my life. I am thankful for my husband, for family, and for friends, and I cherish the times we have together. Each day we have is precious!
My dad had a little sign that I now have in my office. It says, “What I do today is extremely important, because I am giving one day of my life for it.” May we choose well how we will spend our days. May we live each day connected to Christ!
The Lord is looking for a harvest — those who resemble His Son. Romans 8:29 speaks of those who have been conformed to the image of His Son, that Jesus might be the firstborn of many brethren.
May we be a part of that harvest! Day by day, may Christ be seen in us in increasing measure. When we stand before the throne, may it be Christ who is seen in us.
May transformation continually come into our lives as we live connected to Him, learning to abide in Him as He abides in us. May we bloom like that little tree because of the One we are connected to.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory!” Colossians 1:27b