Sunday, November 2, 2008

Learning to "Abide"


Perhaps you are familiar with the John Stallings hymn, "Learning to Lean". It goes like this:
"I’m learning to lean, learning to lean,Learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed,I’m learning to lean on Jesus.
The joy I can’t explain fills my heart,Since the day I made Jesus my King;His blessed Holy Spirit is leading my way,He’s teaching and I’m learning to lean.
Chorus:
I’m learning to lean, learning to lean,Learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed,I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

There's glorious vict'ry each day now for me,Since I found His peace so serene;He helps me with each task, if only I'll ask;Ev'ry day now I'm learning to lean.
Chorus:
I’m learning to lean, learning to lean,Learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I’d ever dreamed,I’m learning to lean on Jesus. "

Stallings is absolutely correct in that- it is a learning process-learning to lean. So, what does it mean to lean on Jesus ? To lean or abide is to remain as one; to persist in learning and applying His truths to our lives(as one); to persevere in the process or pursuit of being Christlike(as one); to accept His lordship over us(as one); to stay or dwell continually with Him.


How do we seemingly lose our power for living the Christian life? It's because we leave Him. We must stay "plugged-in " or attached- to the Vine.