David Bahn – Reflections

John 15:1-17

[Jesus says,] “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.17 This is my command: Love each other.

At St. John, we observe a time of abiding each summer. Abiding Timea period of four weeks mid-July to mid-August during which we invite the people of God at St. John – especially our leaders – to slow down, rest, and seek renewal in a deeper connection with Jesus. We have no regularly scheduled meetings outside of Sunday morning worship. We allow our Sunday School Teachers and leadership to rest. We invite others to join us making this a time for rest in anticipation of the coming season of fruitfulness and intense activity. Staff maintains regular office hours and staff meetings. The entire church campus, however, is less used and therefore we have opportunity to attend to maintenance and other issues as well during this time.

Here is a delightful paraphrase of Psalm 23:1-6 by Japanese poet Toki Miyashina. It catches the spirit of abiding quite well.

The Lord is my Pacesetter,
I shall not rush.

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness
which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency,
through calmness of mind,
and His guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish this day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here.
His timelessness, His all-importance,
will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal
in the midst of my activity
by anointing my head with the oil of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
for I shall walk in the place of my Lord,
and dwell in His house forever.