Indefinitely Remaining Stationary

            As a youth director I am sure of the fact that I am going to be asked some questions that are hard to answer.  One of those questions I have already been asked more than once by some of our youth is: “How do I find/know what God wants me to do with my life?”  This question is especially hard to answer quickly and concisely.  The implicit expectation in this question is that whatever it is that someone will be doing they want to be successful, while doing meaningful, work.

            The best quick and concise answer that I have come up with so far comes from Jesus (always the best place to start) in John 15:5: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (ESV)

            What God really wants you to do with your life is abide in Him so that He can simultaneously abide in you.  When you abide in Him you will be successful (bear much fruit) and what you do will be meaningful.  

You know that the world around us is full of people not abiding in Christ while still doing plenty of stuff, so Jesus did not mean you can literally do nothing without Him.  Instead, you can do nothing that is transcendental.  You can do nothing for Him or His Father, Kingdom work, which as Christians is the only meaningful work.

            So what’s the point?  It is: if you are not abiding you aren’t really looking for the answer to, “How do I find/know what God wants me to do with my life?”  In fact, if you don’t begin abiding, you can’t find the answer.

            Abiding is defined by Webster in his original 1828 dictionary as “to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely.”  I love the term indefinitely that he tacks on the end there.  It implies that you don’t know how long you will be there, because guess what?  You don’t!  When you choose to become a Christ follower and abide in Him, you give up your right to determine where you go, what you do, and when.  You are to indefinitely remain stationary in Christ.  Then He will show you what you can do for Him, and it will be Christ abiding in you that makes your work successful and meaningful, because you can do nothing.