Susan LaffertyHe’s looking for devoted followers. Wholehearted. Wholly His.
Abiding day by day in the Vine.
To fight the good fight. And finish the race.
I watch this in brothers and sisters on the other side of the world. Their nation invaded. Future uncertain.
Yet they remain. Steadfast. Singing songs of faith.
Only one thing teaches me God’s will.
And gets me out of my own preconceived ideas. About what I can and cannot do. Or who I am. Where I need to be.
Only one practice. One way of living and breathing. Teaching me His greater purpose and meaningful plan.
Daily abiding in the Vine, Christ Jesus.
Learning this necessary truth takes time and effort. Surrender.
But sooner or later, I clearly see.
Only He is the root and sustainer. The source of true life and fruitfulness.
Seasoned servant. Leaving, after spending many years in the dark city by the river. Her parting advice to one of our colleagues is borne out of long experience in the spiritual battle.
Those insightful words reach my ears at a retreat in the Himalayas.
One phrase sticks in my heart. And comes to mind, from time to time.
“Do you want to seem holy? Or be holy?”
