Well, it’s underway, 2025. January has almost dissipated like vapour. Well, that’s what the word says will happen. In 2 Timothy 3, the Bible describes the last days as times of great difficulty. In Matthew 24, the Bible says that God shortened the days of the last days for the sake of the elect. The Bible also says that God’s timing is different from ours and that we should be ready to go fast when we want to go slow and vice versa.
The only way we can stay on course and remain steadfast is to be in continuous fellowship with the Holy Spirit, renew our minds, and be washed by the Word of God. Recently, I ministered a series entitled Abide and Wait. This is not just a pretty sermon title; it is a lifestyle and discipline we must maintain in this day and age.
Abide and Wait: Flourishing in Connection and Patience
Life is full of moments that test our strength, patience, and resilience. As believers, we are called not to endure these moments merely but to flourish in them. This is only possible when we remain connected to Jesus, the True Vine, and learn to wait on the Spirit of God for guidance and strength. Let’s explore these truths through the lens of two powerful biblical analogies: the eagle and the palm tree.
Connected to the Vine: The Source of Life
In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This imagery reminds us that our spiritual vitality depends on our connection to Jesus. Just as a branch cannot survive without the vine, we cannot thrive without remaining in Christ.
When we abide in Him, we receive nourishment for our souls, clarity for our decisions, and strength to persevere. However, abiding isn’t a passive state; it requires intentional time in prayer, worship, and God’s Word. In this state, we are empowered to face life’s challenges gracefully and purposefully.
Waiting on the Spirit: Strength in Stillness
Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” The eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom, relies on the wind to soar. Instead of exhausting itself, it spreads its wings and allows the current to carry it higher.
In the same way, waiting on the Spirit of God is not idleness but trusting in His timing and guidance. We find renewed strength in this waiting—this surrender—to rise above our circumstances. By leaning into God’s Spirit, we gain clarity and direction that human effort alone cannot provide.
Flourishing in Trials: The Palm Tree’s Example
The palm tree is another biblical symbol of resilience and victory. Psalm 92:12 says, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.” The palm tree thrives in harsh, arid conditions because its roots grow deep, finding hidden water sources. Its flexibility allows it to bend in strong winds without breaking, producing fruit even in challenging environments.
This is a picture of how we can flourish in trials when deeply rooted in God’s Word and Spirit. Our connection to Jesus sustains us, and our reliance on the Spirit empowers us to remain flexible yet steadfast, bearing fruit even in life’s most challenging seasons.
Three Key Takeaways
- Stay Connected to the Vine: Prioritise your relationship with Jesus through prayer, worship, and the Word. Your spiritual strength and fruitfulness depend on it.
- Wait on the Spirit: Trust God’s timing and guidance. Surrendering to the Spirit allows you to rise above challenges with renewed strength, like an eagle soaring on the wind.
- Flourish in Adversity: Like the palm tree, remain deeply rooted in God’s truth. Bend but don’t break, and let your life bear fruit even in difficult seasons.
When we abide in Christ and wait on the Spirit, we move beyond survival into thriving. We begin to thrive, rising above life’s trials and becoming a testimony of God’s sustaining power and grace. Just as the eagle soars and the palm tree flourishes, so can we—strong, fruitful, and unshakable—when we abide and wait.
May 2025 be a year that your wildest dreams and highest expectations are manifested. May the enemy pay back what has been stolen sevenfold, and may you occupy and thrive in the abundant life Jesus said was possible for those who believe and abide in Him!
This blog was inspired by Ps Shaun’s message at Faith Legacy Church on the 26th of January, 2025. You can watch the full series on our YouTube channel.