“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.”

—John 15:4

I’m groggy and choose the warmth of my covers over my 4:45 AM invitation to connect with God. When I choose not to open my Bible or pray more than slingshot prayers, everything feels harder. Peace slips and joy fades because I begin living life in my own strength, and eventually on my own terms. When I don’t stay rooted in Him, I lose my direction, my nourishment, my lifeline.

It’s not until I drink in His Words that life begins to wake up my spiritual senses again. I wonder why I waited so long. I argue with myself about why I didn’t just get out of bed. I need to keep my sacred mornings with Jesus consistent if He’s going to grow the fruit needed to thrive each day.

My days are full. Not necessarily with constant movement and busyness—but with the mental and emotional load I carry. My kids are growing into adults and although their needs have changed, it hasn’t gotten easier. How much more do I need Him now!? Satan likes to prowl around in places and make us think we have control there.

He’s the Vine

The chatter of the world hums around me—hustle harder; fix it all. When I listen to it, I turn brittle. No living water from the Source means I run dry. Then the whispers of the Enemy plague me at night. I pray, “God speak Your truth to me.”

If I don’t stay connected to His Word, if I don’t abide in His Truth, I won’t know it. Even what I do know begins to fade when I stay away too long. His Words have run dry; been used up. We can’t drink water once and expect it to sustain us the whole week. Soda doesn’t nourish your body–just like the world can’t nourish your soul. When echoes of His voice grow dim, Satan pushes blame and the guilt grows. He steals my peace.

Abide in Christ

The Bible is one way to drink and the more we drink, the more life it gives us—He gives us. He is the Word, after all; living and active. It can’t live and be active if we aren’t consistently partaking.

I wake up many mornings feeling “behind” in my day. So I began starting my mornings with Jesus. It almost feels like He slows down time. His peace stills my overthinking mind and calms my anxious heart. A piece of fruit that can only grow when I remain in Him every single morning—and stay connected all throughout the day.

The world works daily to rob us of the fruit God grows in us. But returning to His Word—letting it take root—keeps His life running through us. We cannot grow this fruit on our own. We must return to Him again and again. Multiple times a day. Like eating. Like drinking. Our spirits are starving and they don’t even know it yet. Once we feast, we realize how hungry we were. How parched our soul.

It’s not mere knowledge that bears fruit; it’s His Word activated within our hearts. It’s loving Him enough to obey Him. It’s not just needing Him but wanting Him. It’s all of Him dwelling fully within us.

Practical Tools to Remind You to Remain in Jesus

Long, slow mornings with Jesus are my favorite, but they’re only one part of remaining in Him. What about the rest of the day? Here are a few practical ways to remind you to keep Jesus in everything you do.

• Play worship music. Tune your heart to worship Him constantly.
• Put scripture around the house. Transform your heart through His word regularly.
• Lean into Him through the fray. Tether your heart to trust Him in every moment.
• End your night with Him. Train your mind to focus on Him as you fall asleep. Read a chapter of Psalms and pray.

While the practical is a useful tool, ultimately remaining in Jesus is an issue and attitude of the heart. You can use all these tools and still not remain in Him. It’s all heart.

So what does that really look like?

Picture this: amidst the clatter of dishes and the hum of a restless home, remaining in Jesus starts when your heart leans into Him—trusting Him as you scrub a pan, not just muttering a prayer. It’s the quiet ache for His whisper while coffee steadies your hands, letting a verse like Psalm 5:3 seep past the morning rush.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch expectantly.

When chaos hits—teens running through the house or your phone lighting up nonstop—your heart holds on. A whispered “Jesus” isn’t just a habit; it’s real, a reaching for Him. At night, when your mind won’t slow down, it’s the simple truth: “He’s here.” That surrender holds you. Little things help. A note on the fridge can make a difference. Worship music plays while you fold laundry. In the end, it’s your heart, open and trusting, that keeps you steady in the fray.

Seeking Him,

Christin

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