“As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4b

It’s not as complicated as we think. This thing we are called to do, live for the Glory of God. I go through seasons where I frantically start asking questions like “God what do you want me to do?” or “how do you want me to live?” We imagine God showing up as He did in various times throughout scripture, in a burning bush, in a radiant light, or in the form of a mysterious angel that drops us to our knees. We want an earth shattering experience to solidify what God has called us to do. In our pursuit of the extraordinary we miss the power of what God has called us to in the everyday.

Jesus commanded his followers to abide in Him. This is the key to sustaining a fruitful life for His glory. He did not intend us to experience burning bushes every day. Our prayer lives are not intended to be a daily fireworks show. His call to us is to abide in Him. He asks us to consistently be in tune with His word, and as we allow our hearts and minds to be filled with His word, He causes us to bear fruit. In other words the work he calls us to is secondary to the time spent in His presence.

Are you longing for God to use you? Stop looking for the burning bush, or the other worldly encounter. If you are paying attention to how God works, you don’t have to be looking for those moments…they sort of show up when God sees fit. The real key to being used by God is your commitment to daily abiding in Him.

When was the last time you consistently spent time in His presence. How often have you made an attempt to be aware of His presence every moment of every day. Abide in His presence. (John 15:7a). Abide in His words. (John 15:7b). Abide in His love. (John 15:9). This way of life opens our eyes to the ways He wants to use us in the everyday. One day you will look back and be amazed at how God has been using you as you have made this one thing a priority. Abiding above all else!