2021 Daily Devotion - Day 453

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I’m part of a small group I lovingly call “The Kingdom Sisters”. At our last meeting, we were posed the question – what does abiding in Christ mean to you? Because we are human, we all had different ideas of what abiding in Christ might look like. Some talked about serving the Lord, others talked about going to church consistently.

To me, when I think of the word “abiding”, I think of my Cursillo weekend where I learned the word “piety”. Piety is having the Lord at the center of your heart, devoting yourself in word, action and deed to the Lord. Abiding to me is having a heart devoted to Christ, He is the center of my being.

After my Cursillo weekend and realizing the depth of what God (through His Son Jesus Christ) did for me and for all of us – being crucified on the cross, taking on our sins so that we might have a relationship with Him, changed everything. It’s like I went through a transformation. He gave me a new heart and put His spirit in me. The heart He gave me was and is grateful, filled with a pure love toward Christ. I guess you could say He gave me a heart that “wants” to please Him through my actions, my words and my deeds.

I have learned that while abiding in Christ, those around us should see a difference in us, which is what God wants. He wants His children to stand out so others might see His light in us, and they become curious about who Jesus Christ is and possibly come to know Him as well.

All God really wants is for us to love Him, to do the best we can to serve and obey Him. Even though our best is still imperfect, God sees our hearts and views us as perfect because of His grace.

I always say if we profess to be Christians and love one another, people are watching and we will be judged by our actions, our words and our deeds. We need to abide in Christ, keep Him at the center of our lives so when others see us, they see the light of Christ in us.

Ezekiel 11:19
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

Pray with me:
Father God, I thank You for giving me a new heart, a heart filled with love and compassion for those around me. I thank You for the transformation in my life and heart, for the desire to abide in You and make You the center of my life. Help me to always come to You first, so when I am out in the world, others might see You and Your Light in me. I know there are so many looking to fill that hole in their hearts just the way You filled mine. Guide me to the lost and hurting that they may come to know You. Thank You Lord! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Maria Gleckl
Cursillo Member LC 103
Mount of Olives Church Member
Mount of Olives Church
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