Bible Reading: John 15:1-4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. John 15:4
Here we go again, Jared thought with disgust. He had become way too good at packing up his room for a move. His family hadn’t ever stayed in one place for more than three years, and this time they didn’t even come close to that record. Jared had hoped that this was the time they would stay put. He had made good friends, his family had found a fantastic church, and everything seemed to be humming along.
But then he heard the words he dreaded: “I’ve been transferred again.”
“You’ll love Madera!” his mom had said.
Madera! The steamy central valley of California didn’t sound exciting in the least. Jared had heard summers were so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk! But all he could say to his mom was, “What choice do I have?”
Even though Jared struggled year after year through painful family moves, he learned an important lesson. Here’s something he wrote in his journal shortly after arriving in Madera.
Here I am again, Lord—a new place, surrounded by strange things and unknown people. I miss my friends and my life back home. I wonder if this new place will ever seem like home. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to really settle in here.
At least I have you, Lord. At least I know that wherever I go, whether it’s Madera or Montana or the remote jungles of Madagascar, you are still with me. You have made your home in me. You have settled in, and you’re not going to be transferred and leave me alone. And I have made my home in you. Wherever I go, we will be together. Thank you, Jesus, for that promise.
Jared had discovered an amazing truth we need to know too. Jesus makes his home in us, and he wants us to make our home in him. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus issued this invitation: “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.”
You might move from place to place. Your friendships might change from year to year. All sorts of changes might make your life tomorrow look radically different from your life today. But one fact is sure: Jesus will never leave you. He is totally at home in you, and he invites you to be at home in him.
TALK: What difference does it make to you that Jesus will never leave you, no matter what changes today brings?
PRAY: Jesus, thank you for being our closest friend—and for never leaving us alone.
ACT: Do you have a friend who doesn’t know Jesus? How can you introduce your human friend to the best heavenly friend he or she can ever have?
