Jesus said:
John 15:15
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Fruit and growth doesn’t come from our activity, but from God’s activity in us. There are seasons to push and work, but they flow out of seasons of rest and community. This January we are taking some time to rest. To enjoy God and enjoy being with one another.
We need to have times of pruning in our churches, times when most, if not all, activity ceases. Times of rest and abiding… It looks to many like nothing is happening. But in this time of abiding, great strength is given to those who do the teaching, singing, and serving throughout the rest of the year. Without a time for their spiritual ground to lie fallow, there would be a very poor harvest in the year to come.
Mike Breen, “Building a Discipling Culture”
This Jan we are resting and abiding as a church. We will meet together with one another and God, but we will do it in a way that is light and easy. We will come together to enjoy and receive. We will soak in this time of resting together before God, with the knowledge that out of this time, effective ministry will come.
As we remember our identities are not about what we do, we can share the Gospel message with others.
As we remember that we are blessed, we can be a blessing.
So enjoy this time, come, and rest with us. And as you do may you be blessed with peace, joy and renewed focus.
