During some of Jesus’ last hours of freedom before being arrested, he seemed to be trying to fill the disciples with as many words of reassurance and instructions as he could….even though they really didn’t understand, he knew they soon would, and wanted them to have these word images to hold onto when the dark days fell. Jesus told them,
“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.” (John 15:5)
They had walked with him for three years and knew him best. They knew his love and commitment for them and had also been on the receiving end of rebuke and redirection when they pulled too far away. Jesus knew their only hope of enduring the days ahead would be to stay very close to him….to remain in him, and in so doing, see the gospel grow and continue to change lives, setting people free. He also knew that if they didn’t remember to remain in him, they were likely to wander…to tug at the boundaries….to get distracted and forget all they had learned, and fail to carry on the good news.
It’s usually in the very ordinary moments of life – like walking Boaz – that God drops a thought, a truth, something that reveals his heart to us during these devotions during Lent. So here’s a thought…. in the very middle of the strangest, scariest and most uncertain of days, how about we allow ourselves permission to not have all the answers? And what if we are mindful that it’s Jesus’ job to be the vine….and ours is to remain close to him?
He loves us so! And I believe with all my heart, though we don’t have any idea how just yet….God has already made a way for us.
Remaining with Jesus, and also with you,
Shellie ♥
Control (Somehow You Want Me)
Tenth Avenue North
Here I am
All my intentions
All my obsessions
I want to lay them all down
In Your hands
Only Your love is vital
Though I’m not entitled
Still You call me Your child
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
I give You control
I’ve had plans
Shattered and broken
Things I have hoped in
Fall through my hands
You have plans
To redeem and restore me
You’re behind and before me
Oh, help me believe
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go, oh
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
Oh, You want me
Somehow You want me
The King of Heaven wants me
So this world has lost it’s grip on me
Oh, You want me
Somehow You want me
The King of Heaven wants me
So this world has lost it’s grip on me
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go, oh
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
I give You control
Oh, give You control
Oh, I want to give You control
I give You control
You want me
Somehow You want me
The King of Heaven wants me
So this world has lost it’s grip on me
Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Matthew Bronleewe / Michael Donehey
Control (Somehow You Want Me) lyrics © Essential Music Publishing
Amen!!!!!