Marinate

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
                              John 15:4-5

Jesus invites  us to spend time with him, to lean on him, and to be nourished by him—not just to serve him. Father Greg Boyle discussed abiding in Jesus as an invitation to "marinate in the intimacy of God." He writes, "Jesus chose to marinate in the God who is always greater than our tiny conception, the God 'who loves without measure and without regret.' To anchor yourself in this, to keep always before your eyes this God is to choose to be intoxicated, marinated in the fullness of God." To live out of our belovedness, we need to soak in the abundant love that God offers us. 

I don't think Jesus was criticizing us when he said we can't do anything without him (John 15:5); he was simply stating the reality. We need to be connected to our source as the branches need to be connected to the vine. We need God's wisdom, nourishment and life flowing through us.
 
Grace and peace, as we marinate, 

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation