Everyday Practices That Help You Abide in Christ
- Eljoh Hartzer, MTh
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you." - John 15:4
Vine Creative Studio is based on this idea from John 15 that we abide in Christ - but what does that look like very practically? This article will give three simple ideas of easy everyday practices that can help you stay close to God as you move through your daily life. The aim is that we stay connected to Him who is the Vine.
This post is one of many free tools on Vine to help describe 'abiding':
May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide.
How to Abide in Christ Every Day
When you think about 'abiding' - what comes up for you? I remember growing up on the wine farm and walking between the rows of vines under the snow-capped mountains. There was a bite in the air and I usually shivered, wrapping my sweater closer around me. Yet the vineyard didn't seem to mind the cold. The vines lost their leaves and stood bare through the winters, appearing dead, but I learned that there would always arrive a burst of fresh green leaves come Springtime. I couldn't see it, but the vines were preparing for the new growth all along - it was happening under the surface.
I think abiding in Christ daily is a lot like that. Whatever season of life you find yourself in, you cling to Him. Even when it feels like you are losing everything you once held dear; even in long seasons of waiting out in the bitter cold... Dwell in Christ. Stay near Him. Abide in God. Remain rooted.
When it comes to everyday practices that facilitate 'abiding', I can suggest the following:
Silence & solitude
When was the last time you became still? Silence is a spiritual discipline, for it is only when we become very quiet that we can hear Him. If you want to experience a closeness with God in your life, you need to slow down enough and turn down the noise of the world to hear the whisper of His voice.
See the Holy Ground
Where is He already around you? Psalm 24 says "the earth is the Lord's and everything in it". Because of what Jesus did, the victory belongs to God. He is already building His Kingdom - and glimpses of it is evident all around you. Notice the Holy Ground surrounding you and take off your shoes.
Gratitude
How can you focus on what's right in front of you? In my own life, I've learned that thankfulness paves the way for true worship and joy in His presence. Focus on what you are grateful for. Find moments in every day where you can see His gifts to you and talk to Him about them (pray).
These seemingly simple practices can help you abide in Christ, so you do not drift away from God. The vines where I grew up understood something important about abiding - the practical detail of 'abiding' is about what happens under the surface. You might have started reading this article expecting to receive a to do list that you can tick off one by one. You might even feel disappointed because what I gave you are more like formation practices that become a way of living than something measurable or that you can accomplish and get over with.
Vine Creative Studio holds a collection of what I like to call 'encounter tools', resources connecting hearts with Jesus. You're welcome to try one out with my free Workbook on Living as a Wholehearted Follower.
Questions for Reflection / Journaling Prompts:
Think about the vineyards that stand so bare in winter - What might God be doing under the surface of your life? Even where you are right now?
Identify one to try out today: Seek silence and solitude. See the Holy Ground. Practice gratitude and thankfulness. Make a specific plan for doing it - when? where? what? who? why?
Name one more everyday practice that you can do to abide in Christ this week.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are absolutely working below the surface of my life. Even when I cannot see it, feel it, or even understand - You are busy working things out in and through me. God, would You continue to lead me ever closer to Your heart so that I might be a branch that bears much fruit? Inspire me by Your Holy Spirit with more ideas of how I can draw near to You every single day. May I always continue to abide in the Vine, Amen.
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