Soft rain falls on the window this morning, and thunder rumbles distantly. The lamp lighting in my bedroom creates a cozy contrast to the darkness outside. It’s a slow morning today— I’ve barely gotten out of bed, and as I sit here typing and sipping my tea, I can’t help but think of the Maker. It’s 9am and I still haven’t opened my Bible, though I’ve shared a few thoughts with my Father.

It’s mornings like these where I remember that abiding with God doesn’t always mean doing a lengthy bible study and writing something poetic in my prayer journal.

These moments, where my soul feels the gentle touch of the Spirit and His peace finally quiets my heart— if I think about it too hard, His overwhelming rest is enough to make me cry. And sometimes it does.

On days like today, when I don’t have the energy for deep theological reflection, I’m reminded that simply sitting with Him brings me to life the most.

“Abide in me, and I in you. 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 ‭ESV‬‬

The word abide means to remain, to continue, or to dwell. Jesus says, dwell in me, and I will dwell in you. When we intentionally spend time being in the presence of God, His Spirit dwells more fully inside of us. And dwelling in the presence of God, God dwelling in you, produces fruit— transformation!

Sometimes as Christians, it can be easy to slip into the mindset that being a Christian is all about doing.

Think about all the ways that we strive to be that Christian. The worn out, beautiful Bible, the artistic prayer journal, the Jesus merch, the worship nights, the Christian glow up, the Bible verse stories on Instagram. We try so hard to do the things that make us a Christian, in hopes that we will be transformed and act like a Christian, or feel like a Christian.

Doesn’t it seem like we might be looking for life in the wrong places, even though they seem right?

If we stripped that all away, and it was just you and God, would you know what to do?

The first time I practiced solitude with the Lord was a few years ago. I sat in my hammock for 6 hours with nothing but my Bible and a notebook. The first hour was glorious— I  read through John 4, journaled about some things on my mind, prayed for my friends and family, read some Psalms. And then I finished and checked my watch. I still had 5 more hours to go, and I had no idea what to do.

If I’m being completely honest, 3 out of the 5 hours I spent taking a nap. A holy nap, as my mentor called it. But the other 2 hours, my mind was forced to wander. It was like God was filing away all the thoughts that took up space in my mind, sorting through them, guiding me, teaching me, and putting the thought away in a filing cabinet in the back of my mind. By the end of my time, I felt like I understood God a little bit better, as if I truly knew Him. I had spent at least 2 hours just resting with Him—  5 if you count my holy nap.

And you know what? I felt more peaceful. More loving. More joyful. More patient and kind. I had spent some time being with the Father, with him being with me.

Doing a bible study is transformative and powerful. God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

But abiding, dwelling, in the Father, that does something different. It refreshes my soul, bringing life back into my body, into my mind, into my heart. When I abide, I rest in my Father’s arms.

To receive the teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness that comes from being in the Word, we must abide in the Spirit. To fully worship God in song and prayer, we must abide in the Spirit. To treat others with love and kindness, we must abide in the Spirit. For the Spirit to abide in us, we must abide in the Spirit. This is foundational to being a Christian.

Simply sitting with Him brings us to life the most.

My challenge to you, dear reader, is that you abide in the Father today. If you need to, skip the Bible study and sit quietly in His presence. Remember to come back to His presence throughout the day, knowing that when you do so, He fills your cup.