Less is more (devotional)

 From Our Daily Bread ...

Resolving To Do Less: Read John 15:4-12

"Apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

When we think about New Year's resolutions what probably comes to mind is a list of lofty ambitions we rarely achieve (80 percent of New Year's resolutions are already abandoned by mid-February).  Author Amy Wilson suggests a better idea might be to reject entirely "the idea that we have to fix ourselves before our lives can get better."  Wilson suggests that, instead of adding commitments, we see the new year as an opportunity to do less, to finally "start saying no" to some of the "oversized and ongoing commitments that take our time and energy without giving us much in return."

In a world of constant pressure to do and be more, it can be easy to miss the radically different rhythm of life Jesu invited His disciples into - one of abiding in Him.  In John 15, Jesus describes Himself as "the true vine" (v. 1) and His disciples as "the branches" (v.5).

Vine branches don't grow through working harder but through the nourishment received form the vine.  So, too, the growth we long for can only be experienced when we let go of self-reliance in exchange for resting in and finding nourishment in Christ, for "apart from [Him] you can do nothing" (v.5).

Through Jesus, we have hope for a life of less anxiety.  Less striving.  And more resting in God's love and letting it flow to those around us. (vv. 12, 17).

- Monica La Rose

What might God be leading you to say no to this year?

In what areas of your life might God be inviting you to greater surrender?

Gracious God, please help me surrender my self-reliance to rest in You.