Union with God

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

Two of the most popular dancers of my parent’s age were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Please take 5 minutes and watch this video showcasing Fred and Ginger’s films. The narrator describes how their different styles were melded into a happy union. While they remained two individuals, when they danced together, something new was created. Their union filled others with joy that gave people hope to people during the depression and beyond.

We are all intended to live in this kind of union with God. The Bible sometimes uses the term “abide” to describe it. Here are some examples:

The prophet Haggai encourages God’s people to take courage because they are not alone. “My spirit abides among you; do not fear.” (Haggai 2:4)

Jesus also speaks of abiding.  “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4) “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. (John 6:56)

Modern theologian Grace Brame writes, “The only way that Jesus knew to fulfill his purpose on earth was to stay connected with the one whose will it was. Prayer was the essence of his life. We learn how to abide by watching Jesus.” Faith the Yes of the Heart (p.98)

Abiding with God and God’s abiding with us is a natural and reasonable expectation for every Christian. It is not something only available to mystics, saints or even pastors. Jesus tells all of us that we can abide in him and promises that he will abide in us. Indeed, Jesus promises that this happens each time we take communion.

Consider your own relationship with God. Can you point to times when you abided in one another? When are you most aware of Christ’s abiding in you? When do you have a sense of your own abiding in God? Chances are you do sometimes experience it, even if you haven’t explicitly named it.