Filed under: learning | Tags: abide in christ, andrew murray, beauty, belief, christ
It’s funny how simple of a statement it is, to say ‘Abide in Christ’. However, despite how incredibly simple it may be, it’s surprisingly difficult to wrap my head around. – It’s just such an unnatural thing to be. To exist in a state of abiding in something else, something unseen. Not remotely earthly, but spiritual, but kinda earthly at the same time, when it isn’t either. There isn’t any good way to describe it, which I suppose is why that mystery is so intriguing and awesome. And I think because of it I am finally beginning to grow in the understanding of why the mystery must be, and must remain. It keeps me fascinated. It keeps human minds that are weak and easily distracted focused on a greater mystery, one that doesn’t appear to have an ending.
I’ve been reading this awesome book titled, quite simply, “Abide in Christ”. Honestly, if the book had not been recommended I can with almost certainty say I never would have picked it up. It was written by Andrew Murray in the 19th century and it’s compelling. It’s written in an almost attainable romantic-ness. (I don’t understand what ‘attainable romantic-ness’ means either) All I can figure is I mean that it is seemingly romantic in that it’s almost too perfect and wonderful, but it’s so practical and genuine that your heart slowly begins to believe that it can believe. Your heart begins to open up to that possibility which will allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into a place where we long to ‘Abide in Christ’.
So far in the few chapters I have read I’ve already been swept in. The beauty of Christ is being renewed in my heart. I love it. I love that I am slowly starting to trust the Holy Spirit’s work in my life again. Rather than trying to propel on my own, I get to trust that which I wanted to trust in the first place. I pray that I can really continue to steep in the depth and wonder that is Abiding in Christ. I want to find rest, and find out that things really are as beautiful as I hoped. But not because anything of my doing, but because the Holy Spirit renewed my heart and mind.
This is a quote from the book, but seriously, 2/3 of what I have read is underlined –
“Retire frequently with Him into the inner chamber of the heart, where the gentle voice of the Spirit is only heard if all is still. Hold fast with unshaken confidence, even in the midst of darkness and apparent desertion, to His own assurance that His is the light and leader of His own. And live, above all, day by day in the blessed truth that, as He Himself, the living Christ Jesus, is your wisdom, your first and last care must ever be this alone: to abide in Him. Abiding in Him, His wisdom will come to you as the spontaneous outflowing of a life rooted in Him. I abide in Christ, who was made unto us wisdom from God; wisdom will be given to me.”
– Andrew Murray, ‘Abide in Christ’, (chpt. 7, pg. 65)
