How to Abide in Christ in Busy Seasons

Summer was supposed to be relaxing. But with five kids and full schedules, I felt cheated. All I wanted to do was sit by the pool, sip my homemade pink drink with coconut milk, and read my book. Instead, I was sticky and hot driving my kiddos all over to various activities. Then a child gets sick. Or maybe I find myself having to get up early and go to bed late for a week. The disruptions and ordinary days make me feel like abiding in Christ is impossible.

How can we abide in Christ?

In John 15 we read Jesus’ words about abiding. He describes a vine and pruning. (link to last week’s post). God the Father is the “vinedresser” and we are the branches. Abiding in Christ seems like such a beautiful and powerful thing as a Christian. But you and I live in the real world. We have cell phones, deadlines, appointments, heartaches, and silent griefs. 

Can abiding really happen here?
In ordinary moments?
In packed schedules?
When life is turned upside down? 

Abiding in its simplest meaning just means “to remain.” Those who are in Christ will not deny the truth or abandon God.  But as Christians, it goes much deeper and spiritually speaking there are many aspects of abiding, especially abiding in Christ. I love Sinclair Ferguson’s definition: 

Abiding in Christ means allowing His Word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our affections.*

As we dive deeper into practically living out this abiding life, I challenge you to think about your own relationship with God. It can be done in the middle of every season. What season do you find yourself in today? 

Thirsting for God

Abiding begins with a desire. In Psalm 63 the author, David, tells us about abiding. He says: 

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

    my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

Do you want to abide in Christ? 

Some Christians are content – living their life on auto-pilot. I think that works for a little while, but when something hard comes, we no longer can coast through life. David, in Psalm 63, was facing a wilderness. Nothing causes us to run to God faster than trials. But, we don’t have to wait for the heartache or for our world to turn upside down. We can start now with the abiding. It starts with thirsting for God. 

Thirsting for God is simply wanting a deeper relationship with God. In Psalm 63 it is clear David knows God but abiding is a deeper spiritual connection. It is more than just knowledge about God, but a deeper understanding of God’s character and a more intimate relationship. 

Do you want this? This is the first step. If you say yes, then you are already on your way to abiding in Christ. If you struggle to answer that question, ask God to give you that desire.  After doing that, rest. Our feelings do not dictate what is true. God wants us to seek Him, but the amazing truth about abiding we see in the Word, especially here in John 15, is that Christ already abides in us! 

Christ is Already In You

Abide in me, and I in you. John 15:4

If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you are already in Christ. (Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 1:30, and Romans 8:1) As a Christian, the abiding life starts when we get saved and we don’t do anything to begin the process of abiding. Christ has indwelled us, with the power of the Holy Spirit, and nothing can separate us from Christ. (Romans 8:39)

We don’t have to do anything, earn anything, or complete a check-list to make sure Christ is abiding in us. He is already here. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. It was He who died, who reconciled, and justified. It is Christ who stands at the throne of God interceding for us. It is Christ who will bring us into Heaven and present us spotless before God. 

If the great work of salvation was accom;lsiehd through Christ alone, how much more will He walk with us each step of the way? Christ is doing the abiding. The thirst that David talked about is all we need to bring to the table. Our souls are empty without Christ – we know this! But that emptiness is a gift. It means Christ can now take up space in our hearts.  

Christ fills us up when we are exhausted, tired, and weary. What we bring to the abiding is a desire and thirst, but that is all. Christ seeks us out, lives within us through the Holy Spirit and we must simply…..come. 

“It is only into the thirst of an empty soul that the streams of living waters flow. Ever thirsting is the secret of never thirsting.” – Andrew Murray, Abiding in Christ

Abiding is a Two-Person Commitment 

As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4

Although we will talk about fruit later in our series, I want to make the point again that abiding is a two-way street. The point of abiding – the purpose behind it – is that it is Christ & us. Abiding is not about Christ doing all of the work nor is it about us doing all of the work. It is us together. Yes, we must seek, thirst, and abide in God’s Word for fruit to come, but we must also remember it isn’t our fruit. It is the Vine’s fruit. 

When we look at an apple tree, we do not say, “Wow, that is a great branch, look how many apples there are!” Instead, we understand it is the whole of the tree that produces the apples – not just the branch. 

The beautiful truth about abiding is that we don’t do it alone. It is not up to us to make sure we are thirsting. We come to God, recognizing a thirst that is already there. Do you feel empty and tired today? Are you frustrated with life? 

Jesus’ invitation is for you: abide in Me. Say with David: 

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you;

    your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:5-8

At night, in the middle of a hard season, and during the good days, be satisfied with God. Listen to more reflections from Psalm 63 here. 

A Prayer for How to Abide in Christ in Busy Seasons

Lord,
Thank You that abiding in You is not something I have to earn or achieve. When life feels noisy, exhausting, and overwhelming, remind me that You are already near. Create in me a deeper thirst for Your presence. Help me seek You in ordinary moments, quiet my distracted heart, and remain connected to You throughout my day.

When I feel spiritually dry or emotionally empty, teach me to come to You again and again as my source of life and strength. Thank You that I do not abide alone—Your Spirit is with me, sustaining me, guiding me, and holding me fast. Help me rest in the truth that You are already at work inside of me, even in the middle of busy schedules and interrupted days.

Keep my heart close to Yours this summer. Let my soul be satisfied in You.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.