Finding Rest in God’s Presence: Why Abiding Matters More Than Achieving
Have you ever felt like you need to impress God with grand gestures and perfect performance? Many Christians struggle with the misconception that their relationship with God depends on what they can produce rather than simply remaining close to Him.
The Pressure to Perform in Our Faith
We often approach our relationship with God like a transaction. We think that because we’ve been saved by grace, we now need to work hard to truly earn God’s love and approval. This mindset leads us to believe we must constantly show God (and everyone else) that we’re good Christians through our achievements and activities.
But this approach misses a fundamental truth: fruit flows out of proximity, not production. Our spiritual growth comes from staying close to Christ, not from striving to accomplish great things for Him.
What Does It Mean to Abide?
The word “abide” comes from John 15:5, where Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.”
The Greek word “meno” means to remain or stay. It’s not about striving or chasing after something. It’s about staying put and remaining still. Just as a branch doesn’t work to produce fruit but simply stays connected to the vine, we don’t need to work to produce spiritual fruit. We simply need to remain attached to Jesus.
The Problem of Hurry Sickness
What Is Hurry Sickness?
Cardiologist Meyer Friedman coined the term “hurry sickness” in the 1950s to describe people who are chronically angry, frustrated, and in a hurry. He found that these Type A personalities were more prone to heart attacks than others.
Friedman defined hurry sickness as “a continuous struggle and unremitting attempt to accomplish or achieve more and more things or participate in more and more events in less and less time.”
How Hurry Affects Our Spiritual Life
If life was hurried in the 1950s, how much more hurried is it today? Dallas Willard wisely observed that “hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life.” When we’re constantly busy and frantic, we lose the margin necessary for abiding with God.
Jesus Values Availability Over Capability
The Story of Peter’s Calling
When Jesus called His first disciples, He didn’t seek out religious scholars or people who were already “good at the God stuff.” He went to ordinary fishermen like Peter.
After a miraculous catch of fish, Peter’s response was telling: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Peter recognized his unworthiness, yet Jesus still called him to “fish for people.”
God Uses the Available, Not Just the Capable
Peter wasn’t called because he was worthy or particularly useful. He was called because he was available. Jesus cares more about your availability than your capability. It’s not about how good you are at following Jesus or how much you can accomplish for Him. It’s about being willing to stay close to Him.
Learning to Say “Do It Again”
The Challenge of Repetition
Unlike toddlers who can read the same book repeatedly without tiring, adults often lack patience for repetition. We struggle with the mundane, daily practices that actually transform us.
G.K. Chesterton beautifully described God’s patience with repetition: “It may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them… Our Father may actually be younger than us in many ways because he can put up with the repetition.”
When We’ve Tried and Failed
Maybe you feel like Peter when he said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” Perhaps you’ve tried:
- Reading the Bible regularly but can’t find time
- Praying but wonder if God is listening
- Serving at church but feel too busy
- Sharing your faith but find it overwhelming
- Slowing down but the silence feels deafening
Are you willing to say, like Peter, “But because you say so, I’ll do it again”?
Transformation Through Habit, Not Willpower
True transformation into Christ-likeness doesn’t happen through willpower alone. It happens through habit. It happens in the mundane, daily choice to remain close to Jesus.
The invitation to abide isn’t easy. Slowing down and sitting with Jesus requires intentionality in our hurried world. But the same God who tells the sun to rise each morning is the same Jesus who invites us to come and be with Him.
Life Application
This week, commit to memorizing John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Set reminders on your phone, make it your background, or put sticky notes on your mirror. When you find yourself in quiet moments—instead of reaching for distractions like TV or your phone—recite this verse and remind yourself of God’s promise.
Remember: fruit flows out of proximity, not production. Your relationship with God isn’t about what you can accomplish for Him, but about remaining close to Him.
Questions for Reflection:
- In what areas of your spiritual life are you trying to “produce” rather than simply “abide”?
- What would it look like for you to prioritize availability to God over capability this week?
- How can you create more margin in your schedule to simply be with Jesus?
- What daily habits could help you remain connected to the vine rather than striving in your own strength?