Expanding Our Presence

" I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

I recently heard a radio ad for "expanding your digital presence". Basically the meaning was finding innovative ways to reach people through the internet, connecting them to whatever product or service you may be providing.

In the realm of evangelism using digital formats has been taken advantage of since the advent of the internet. There are more Christian resources at our fingertips than at any time in history. However I wonder if many of us are taking advantage of God's original model for "expanding our presence".

If you've observed wild vines, whether they be grape or Virginia creeper, you'll notice that if the vine is connected to a robust root, that vine will spread and engulf anything in its path.

The kingdom of God is supposed to be like this: constantly growing & overtaking Satan's kingdom. The vine, as Jesus clearly explains, does nothing on its own, but it wholly dependent upon the root from which it springs (and "Son" light, of course). Therefore when the kingdom of God is not expanding in our personal lives and in our churches, we need look no further than our connection to the root for the reason.

Abiding in Christ may be easier said than done, as millions of saints throughout the ages have endeavored to do this but have failed to fall into God's perfect plan for their lives. However if you search there are some who found the secret to abiding, and though we do well to steer clear of formulas to finding our own way, studying the lives of saints past who found the secret is very worthwhile.

One such saint was Hudson Taylor, the great missionary who started the China Inland Mission. He was facing great struggles and doubts in his faith and ministry until the above verse unfolded to him. He did not have to do anything to be a vine, he already was a vine. It sounds simple and maybe does nothing for you or me, but this realization wrought a profound change in him, and Mr. Taylor and China were never the same.

The common denominator in my studies of saints who have found the secret of "abiding" is that breakthrough was always preceded my a season of intense struggle, motivated by a sincere desire to find God's will for their life, as well a longing for personal holiness. When the breakthrough does finally come, look out! The person is radically changed: the fruit of ministry grows, ripens, and falls to the ground and reproduces of no fleshly effort of the person, but by that intimate connection of being "in Christ".

Each of us must "work out" (Philippians 2:12) the secret of abiding in our own way and in God's own timing. This may seem discouraging at first, but what a wonderful Creator that has personalized a plan for each of us to follow, custom made not only to draw us closer to Him, but to hide us in Him forever. (cf. Colossians 3:3)