What Draws Us Away from the Vine

Positionally, we abide in Christ through salvation, and those who remain on the vine are those who remain steadfast in their faith.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. – 1 John 4:13-16

The abiding we’ve been talking about has been the day-to-day drawing close to God. It’s how the positional abiding leafs out, so to speak, in practice. It’s remembering He is the Giver, He is worthy of our gratitude, and we are simply a branch and can do nothing apart from Him.

So what keeps us from remaining in the day-to-day?

I spent much of last week not abiding. My attitude suffered, my family suffered, my blog suffered. In the midst of it I found it amusing that right after I declared a series on abiding my own abiding was sorely lacking. It’s funny how we can be tested by our own teaching. But all was not in vain because it gave me the opportunity to observe those things that drew me away from the Vine.

In a word, it was distractions! To distract is to:

• draw apart; to pull in different directions
• to divert from any point, towards another point or toward various other objects; as, to distract the eye or the attention
• to fill with different considerations; to perplex; to confound; to harass; as, to distract the mind with cares

Indeed, I was distracted. Three days last week my routine was broken because my husband and kids were home unexpectedly. I dearly love having them home with me, but when it happens without notice my whole day goes awry. Every summer I have to be careful to guard against letting the ones I love distract me from the One I love. And every fall I gratefully welcome the solitude once again.

I also let myself be distracted by the scratches and dents. I momentarily forgot the object of my affection. I let things divert my attention from the Vine as I concerned myself with earthly treasure.

And finally, I let my mind be distracted by worry. Instead of resting in Him, I let the cares of this world and worry about tomorrow keep me from holding firmly to the One who watches over me.

Gratefully, this lesson has allowed me to draw close once again to the Vine, and I am better-prepared to watch for the signs of distraction.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

What distractions draw you away from the Vine?

In hope,
Shelli