United Methodist Church Hyde Park, NY

 NOT GOOD IF DETACHED
John 15:1-8
 
 
Jesus says, “Abide in me as I abide in you.” But exactly what does it mean to abide in him? Abide is not a word we hear much anymore. The dictionary lists its primary definition as tolerate; endure – usually phrased in the negative: “I can’t abide him.” It also means to act in accordance with – as in “abide by the rules” or to remain faithful to as in “abide by a promise.” But none of these definitions contains the essence of what Jesus exhorts his disciples to do. It is only when we get to the last definition, the archaic meaning of the word, that we begin to understand Jesus’ use of it. The former sense of abide was to remain; continue; dwell. So when Jesus tells his disciples “abide in me as I abide in you” he is saying: live in me as I live in you. He is talking about maintaining a close and constant relationship, about staying connected.
 
The problem for most of us is that it is so hard to find time in our daily lives for anything, even for God. Living more spiritually, living a closer personal relationship to God in Jesus Christ, seems like something that can only be achieved by people in a monastery or convent, not by someone ordinary like you or me, someone who juggles a million daily demands.
 
But like any other seemingly daunting task, there is a way to do it, and that is to break it into bite-size pieces. Perhaps you could manage 60 seconds at a time, starting with the “wasted” minutes in your day. You could use them to heighten your spiritual consciousness, increase your awareness of God, deepen your relationship with God. Here are some suggestions for “60 seconds with God: everyday ways to connect.” *
 
THE ALARM CLOCK ALLELUIA
As your alarm goes off, epeat the psalm: “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Commit to living in gratitude for the day.
 
NATURAL PRAISE
God seems especially present in our lives than in nature. Take time to appreciate its bounty. Pause to appreciate the large oak tree in your yard, the flower garden, the smooth green lawn, the expanse of blue sky, the golden sun. Appreciate the wonder of God who created all this.
 
TELEPHONE THANKSGIVING
Let your telephone remind you of life’s blessings. Every time it rings, recall something good in your life and say a brief prayer of thanks. If it’s been “one of those days,” say thanks anyway, because sometimes we learn the most from life’s challenges.
 
LUNCHTIME COMMUNION
For at least one minute, eat slowly and deliberately. Notice the taste and texture of each bite – the crunch of celery, the nutty chewiness of whole-wheat bread, the smooth sweetness of ice cream – and give thanks for the incredible abundance of food in this world. Ask for blessings on all those who provide food and those who are hungry.
 
THE ELEVATOR BLESSING
Next time you share an elevator with someone, silently ask God to meet that person’s unique needs. Add a smile of your own.
 
 THE GAS PUMP MINUTE
As you pump gas, visualize God’s spirit flowing into you, filling you with enough holy energy to do God’s will for the rest of the day. What is that will? We are called to love God and one another.
 
GRACE BEFORE MEALS
Say grace before meals, even if you’re at a restaurant. It’s important to keep God first, and pausing to give thanks three times a day can remind you of that.
 
STOPLIGHT REPENTANCE
Instead of giving in to impatience and frustration the next time you’re stopped at a red light, use the moment to think about your day. Have you been rude, gotten angry, or in any other way not lived up to the best that is in you, the best that comes from being connected to God’s love? Before you step on the gas pedal again, say a prayerful “I’m sorry” and vow to do better.
 
HOLY WATER RITUAL
There’s an old saying that “you never miss the water till the well runs dry.” It’s true. How many times do we splash and gulp clear water and forget to regard it as a gift? Let each cleansing, thirst-quenching use of water remind you of a blessing that you may be taking for granted.
 
THE CHECKBOOK PRAYER
I read of a tither named Margot who says that any time she finds herself worried about money, she writes a check to someone less fortunate. Do it, she says, even though a frightened part of you can’t afford to. As you write your check, admit “I’m scared because I don’t know if I can pay all my bills, yet I know that I have so much. I give thanks for my abundance.” There is a spiritual cycle of giving and receiving. When you trust in God, and live generously your own needs somehow get met.
 
COMPUTER DEVOTIONS
Program your screensaver to read, “Everyone is a God-holder.” Every time you tap a key to delete the display, softly repeat the phrase. It’s a reminder of the way to regard people. Change the message periodically so it won’t become stale. “Live in the present moment” and “Thank God for everything” are other possibilities.
 
NIGHTTIME TAPS
Relax into sleep with the TAPS prayer: “T” for thanksgiving; “A” for adoration; “P” for petition; “S” for sorrow. Offer thanksgiving for the day’s blessings; show adoration for the Creator who has given us this incredibly rich universe; petition for your needs and those of your loved ones; express sorrow if in any way you hurt another. Sleep well.
 
By using these quick, simple, and practical suggestions – or any other similar ideas you may think of to take advantage of what might otherwise be wasted moments in your day– you can make room for spirituality in your life; you can stay connected to God
and to others.
 
In John 15, Jesus uses an analogy from nature – “I am the vine, you are the branches” to describe the essential relationship between him and his disciples. Even though we are not first-century vineyard owners, we still understand what he means: to be attached to him is to be healthy and fruitful; to be detached from him, is to dry up, become so much dead wood.
 
A more modern analogy can also serve as a reminder: “Not good if detached” is a phrase often seen today on tickets. Disconnected from its stub, the ticket is rendered void, worthless, useless. Jesus says that disconnected from God, the same can happen to us. To put it simply: take time to stay connected!

 
* Taken and adapted from “60 Seconds with God: Everyday ways to Connect,” Woman’s Day, 11/16/99.