by Wayne Stiles
On one trip to Israel, I went without my family for over three weeks—the longest time I’ve ever spent away from them. And while I spoke with them regularly the whole time I traveled, the last conversation is the one I’ll never forget.
After weeks of separation, we all felt eager to
see one another again. I can still hear my younger daughter’s words
from the other side of the world: “It’s like I don’t even know you,
Daddy.”
Open heart, insert battle-axe.
A mere three weeks apart made our relationship seem surreal. I’ve thought about her comment often as I considered Christ’s words to His headstrong disciples that night.
“Apart from Me you can do nothing,” said the Savior in the Upper Room (John 15:5). Nothing.
That word seems so conclusive, so dreadfully final. Our success hinges
on our remaining in fellowship with Jesus. And our fellowship with
Jesus pivots on honest confession (1 John 1:9).
Most of us Christians have experienced those incredible moments of intimacy with God when we have no yearning for any earthly joy, much less for sin. Christ becomes our entire desire. In those moments, we make impassioned commitments of absolute dedication. We really believe we have turned a corner in our spiritual lives.
But
then, driving away from church, our family disagrees over where to eat.
Or after our quiet time, our bickering children rapidly rob us of joy.
Or on the way to work, a hurried driver cuts us off and waves with only
a fraction of his hand. All of a sudden, commitment wanes. And these
are the little things. What about real life crises?
Nothing.
That word has such a haunting finality, doesn’t it? If we fail to
remain in fellowship with Jesus, we can do nothing—not “some things,”
not “a few things”—but no thing. Nothing of any lasting spiritual value whatsoever.
But with Jesus, on the other hand, nothing is impossible that is His will (see Matt. 19:26).
Post adapted from www.waynestiles.com and from Wayne Stiles, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: A Devotional Journey Through the Lands and Lessons of Christ (Ventura, CA: Regal, 2008), p. 141-142. Used by permission. Upper Room photo courtesy of BiblePlaces.com.
