When Not In The Word

Hey Friend,

Yes, I am a little late on my weekly post...I had great intentions of writing something beautiful and stirring about this great Nation we live in, but the words didn't flow.  Then I thought I could take a whimsical look at the 4th of July as a holiday and mention how there is a day for just about everything.  Take July for example: first comes Independence Day on the 4th; then comes National Chocolate Day on the 7th; followed by National Ice Cream day on the 21st; and finally Parents' Day on the 28th.

So we emancipate our children on the 4th; we give them a caffeine buzz on the 7th; follow it up with "brain freeze" and a sugar high on the 21st and then when all that's said and done, we parents have to recuperate on the 28th...clever, but then the pen dried up.

What is my problem I ask myself?  Why can't I write? 

And then it dawns on me...I haven't been in the word...I am like a withered rose on the vine.  I've been basking in the sunshine, enjoying the passersby, but I haven't been drinking from my roots.  There certainly has been enough rain (literally and figuratively).  My Bible sits on the table beside me where I usually sit to write, but this week it's been collecting more dust than usual.  There sits a wealth of "living water" but I haven't paused long enough to take a long drink.

"I am the vine and you are the branches.  Those who remain in Me and I in them, will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  (John 15:5)

I am unable to write...to bear fruit, if you will, because I have not been abiding in the Lord.  He is the vine and I am the branch.  Without His word flowing through my stem, I quickly wither and dry up.  Without spending time at His feet reading and listening I can do nothing.  It doesn't say, "Apart from me you can do 80%, or 50% or even 10%"...it says I can do NOTHING.

Wow!  It really is true!  The old Bev would have immediately gone into self condemnation mode; beating myself up for getting so caught up in the world that I forgot about God.  How could I do that?  He's always there for me?  But the Bev under grace knows that:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

God has lovingly used this experience, not to chide me, but to say, "Child, I love you and long to spend time with you.  Put away the cares of the world for awhile and just be in my presence." 

"Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

And so, for a long while, I am still.  I set aside the world with all its clamor and chaos that demands my attention and I drink in God's Holy word.  Like a parched runner I feel the hydration returning to my body.  I am drinking up water from deep within my roots and then it happens...the words begin to flow...

May you drink deeply from His word this week my dear friend.  You will be glad you did.

Love,

Bev