AbideSample

Abiding as beginning.

It can be hard to understand abiding. It is not a word we use often. Outside of the Christian faith, I am not sure if I use the word at all. This might be why so many Bible translations translate the word meno Jesus uses in John 15 as “remain” or “stay.” Whether we say abide, remain, or stay, we can understand Jesus as saying to keep ourselves in Him—but how do we do this? One way is to think of abiding as a beginning.

Our smartphones have a home screen. What we abide in is like the home screen on our phones—it’s where we start. When we turn on our phones, there are apps on the home screen. If we hit the home button or swipe up twice, the phone goes home. It’s the starting point. We all have a “home screen” in our minds—the place we begin. We may like or dislike it, but either way, it’s there. We cannot change the fact that we have a default screen or starting point, but we can change what is there. We are in control of the home screen of our minds.

When you wake up, what do you think about? When you are frustrated, what is your default? When you are worried, where does your mind go? When you are in need, what are your thoughts? If they are not Jesus or Christlike, you can change that.

Are there practices like prayer, Bible reading, or worship you could start your day with? Before email, before socials, before anything else—can you change your starting point?

When the day progresses and things happen, how do you respond? Is it a way that gives you peace and rest? Are there practices like gratitude or thankfulness you can turn to? Instead of being angry when you are running late, can you say, “Thank you, Jesus—I have a destination”?

We, as children of God, have the right and authority to change our beginning every day. Are you walking with that right and authority?

Prayer:

Lord, help me put my focus on you and let you be my starting point. If I fail, remind me that I get to try again and that is ok.