The Dude Abides

These pitiful stories that I inflict you with each week come from a variety of places. Songs, sermons, bathroom sink drains, etc. The only thing that can be said about them with any certainty is that the main character of each epistle is God - Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit.

The topic for this one came from the title of a Facebook movie clip called "The Dude Abides." There's a link at the bottom.

The short video features a conversation between Jeff Bridges and Sam Elliot from the movie The Big Lebowski. In the clip, Mr. Bridges' character (The Dude) offers this gem.

"The Dude abides."

I thought about that statement for a moment and, in the light of scripture, felt it should be worthy of consideration. We ALL should abide!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." - John 15:1-11

After reading that, I have come to the conclusion that Jesus wants us ALL to abide. He is in us, and us in Him.

What does abiding in Jesus look like?

To 'abide' is to live. And not simply to just live, but to live in such a way that we live IN Him. That we become like Him. Like a tree abides with the soil. And here is the test.

When people look at us, or think of us, do they see Jesus? That's a tough one. But no one ever said that living like Christ would be easy. In fact . . .

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

James reminds us of this 'troublesome' fact later when he writes . . .

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4

To sum up, abiding in Jesus is pure joy, even when it isn't. Does that make sense?

Abide then! And experience the joy that The Father intended from the very beginning. Abide! Yes, abide! "And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7