Abiding and My Attitude/Fruit

Welcome to my annual "every 6 months" blog! That's not really what I wanted it for, but it seems to be what happens. Either way, tonight I wanted to write out some of my heart.

God has laid John 15:4 on my heart and mind often lately and has me digging deeper.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither you, unless you abide in Me."

Abiding.

I'm comfortable with my business and my frantic schedules. I like to think I have a strong work ethic and I'm useful. I like to think I can do it all and be it all.

However, in this season, "abiding" means quality not quantity.

Meaning, how well I do things matters more than how much I do.

"Abiding" means listening to my Father in Heaven. Not on the go, but in stillness. It means listening and not just talking. It means connecting with my Vine.

Which leads me to my other point: My attitude/fruit.

I put attitude and fruit together because for me they go hand in hand.

My attitude is my fruit.

My attitude is my choice.

Peppers do not grow on a grape vine.

Neither does bitterness, anger, or negativity come from a heart abiding in Christ.

Our fruit and attitudes should be a direct result of the vine we are on.

If my attitude and fruit are anger and bitterness, it begs the question: Where am I abiding?

Don't get me wrong, it's okay to be angry and hurt. What's not okay is living there and allowing that anger and hurt to create bitterness.

There are things that have happened to me that have taken up residence, to the point of bitterness. Most of those things were not my choice or my fault. But my attitude and fruit is.

It is a process but not without a promise.

"If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and to you it will come to pass. In this My Father is glorified, that you should bear much fruit, and you shall be My disciples." John 15:7-8

Today, I want to make the choice to abide in Christ to the point my fruit and attitude reflects the Vine I am connected too.

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