The Invitation

“Let him lead me to the banquet hall and let his banner over me be love.” Song of Songs 2:4 NIV

“My beloved spoke and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.’” Song of Songs 2:10 NIV

Jesus offers us a beautiful invitation, echoed in the words of Solomon and in His own words in John 15:9, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”

Do you find abiding hard?

Do you struggle with simply being with Him – resting, remaining, receiving? 

Between my background of legalism and a world that seems to shout, “Do more!” learning to abide has been a struggle. 

I often think of fruit trees. They don’t stand in the orchard trying to force fruit out of their branches. Bearing fruit is simply the result of their connection to their source. It’s their nature. It’s what they were created to do.

Jesus tells us plainly: we can do nothing without Him. 

He speaks of the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — which is deposited in us when we receive His gift of salvation.

Salvation is a free gift. (Ephesians 2:8)Holy Spirit is a free gift. (Acts 2:38 and 10:45)

A gift is something freely given, but it must be received. And the Holy Spirit is a gift that keeps on giving. 

God freely gives us His love. He so loved us that He gave. Jesus loved us, and He gave His life. We didn’t and can’t earn His love. He invites us to rest, remain, abide in Him. 

Leaning to Receive

I am learning to embrace receiving from Him. It has taken a long time for me to get where I am. Romans 12:2  tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. That is what He is doing in me; transforming me so I can stop striving, stop trying harder, and simply receive. 

When I read the words in Song of Songs, I imagine being on a beach with the waves coming in and a gentle breeze blowing, being embraced by His love – by Love Himself. 

The more we learn to abide and receive from Him, the more we will have to give to others. Abiding allows us to lay down the heavy demands we often place on ourselves and others  — spoken or unspoken. As we learn to simply be, we begin to show them grace to be as well.

Fruitfulness through Abiding

As we abide in Him, we will begin to see love, peace, joy, patience, and all the fruit of the Spirit being produced in us.  But there are things that can hinder our abiding; one being stress. 

When fruit trees are under stress, it affects the fruit they produce. 

Stress in fruit trees can cause reduced fruit production, poor fruit quality, a compromised immune system, reduced growth, and unhealthy roots. 

Isn’t the same true of us?

See, the invitation to abide in Him has significant implications not just on our relationship with Him, but on our own health (spiritually, physically, emotionally) and on our relationships. 

How can we learn to abide?

Ask Him:

• To help us

• To show us how

• To help us receive His invitation with gladness 

• To help us take Him at His word

• To transform us

Some practical steps

• Spend time in His Word

• Spend time lingering in His presence – just receiving

• Journal our thoughts and feelings 

• Spend time in nature, taking in His beauty all around 

The practice of abiding may take time, but it is so worth it! It can transform your life. 

Are you ready to accept the invitation? 

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About the Author: Violet Coots is a life coach, speaker, and author passionate about helping others break free from shame, fear, and lies to embrace their God-given identity. Creator of the Still Standing series video podcast and author of a 31-day devotional, she offers coaching and prayer-based breakthrough sessions for healing and renewed purpose. www.violetcoots.com.