What does come & abide mean?
First, a little background information. For a long time, I was struggling to develop a name for this website. I had so many ideas but didn’t know where to start or even what to do. Most often, it’s the first step that is the hardest. Making a forward motion requires a greater force to be applied.
I felt that the name had to mean something. To represent who I am and what I want to do. It had to include my purpose, vision, mission, and values. I focused so much on making it perfect. Nothing was good enough, leaving me at the exact place I started.
From the very beginning of this “adventure,” I surrendered it all to God. Praying that He would use it to bring glory to His mighty name! Laying all that I am at His feet because I will never be enough without God. In fact, I would be nothing without God.
But for a while, I was striving for worldly success. So caught up in creating the perfect name, I lost sight of my real purpose, and whose name I already bear, that of Jesus Christ!
Abide in Me
It wasn’t until just the other day when I listened to a song called “Abide” by Kingdom Culture Worship. I had listened to it many times before, but this time was different. John 15 immediately popped into my head.
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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:1-5 NKJV
Of the many pictures of God and His people’s relationship, the vine and the branch emphasize complete dependency and a necessary connection. If a branch were not connected to the vine, it would shrivel up and die. A branch can’t bear fruit if it isn’t connected to the vine.
The word “abide” in Hebrew is the word “meno.” Which means to remain, to dwell, or to continue to be.
Abiding is something we all choose to do. We can choose to abide by the ways of the world, for momentary attention. Or abide in Christ, the true vine, who sustains eternal satisfaction. But we have a choice in the matter.
The world is constantly striving for more, striving for the next best thing. Caught in an endless circle of trying to satisfy their insatiable hearts. Turing to whatever is easiest to suppress the pain or discomfort of life. Later realizing their emptiness all over again. BUT GOD is the only one who can truly satisfy and take a dry and barren land and turn it into a fruitful vineyard.
God is the true vine, coursing with everlasting life.
We are to remain and dwell on the Word of God.
Come to Me
So many times in the Bible it says “come.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
John 6:35 ESV
Before we can not go hungry or thirsty we have to simply come! How do you eat of bread that you have not gone and got?
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
Isaiah 55: 1-3 NIV
It’s an open invitation. There is a seat at the table for you at the King’s glorious feast, and all you have to do is come! You will be filled in all fullness with the richest foods (Ephesians 3:19).
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
We come in all our brokenness. God does not ask for anything else to come with us. He just asks for us, because we are all he wants. He promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.
I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
John 12:46 NKJV
Jesus came in all His glory, so that we no longer have to dwell in darkness, but can abide in the light!
Abide // Kingdom Culture Worship
progress
The first goal of my passion project was to develop a brand name! Choosing a brand name can be daunting and you may never know if it’s the perfect one. But it’s important to just start somewhere. In order to get where you want to go, you have to start where you are.
reflection
The name Come & Abide is very suitable for all that I am passionate about. When reflecting back on the time it took me to choose a name, I have learned a lot about what makes a good brand name. A brand name should be meaningful, distinctive, accessible, and target your vision. Before choosing a name it’s important to know your purpose. These are some questions I asked myself: Why do you exist? What future do you want to help create? What are you here to do? How are you going to stand out? What principles guide your behavior? Asking those types of questions helped to hone in on what I’m doing and why. I am excited to see what Come & Abide will become!
