Abiding in Love

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 (John 15:4-5).

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love (John 15: 9-10).

Jesus uses the word abide again and again, as he speaks to his disciples just before his arrest.  To abide is to persevere, to endure, to stay with something.  Often, in our busy world, abiding might seem difficult to do.  Everything seems to be about completing tasks and staying active.  But God calls us to find time and space to be still, to wonder, to see beauty, to love, to serve others. 

This Scottish poem speaks of abiding in an interesting way:

If after Kirk ye bide a wee, There's some would like to speak to ye;

If after Kirk ye rise and flee, we'll all seem cold and stiff to ye.

The one that's in the seat wi' ye, Is stranger here than you, may be;

All here have got their fears and cares;

Add you your soul unto our prayers;

Be you our angel unawares.