Abide with Me

On By Beth AlisanIn Lessons

 “Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. . .”

– Henry Francis Lyte, hymnist*

Some words seem so simple to spell yet so difficult to fully comprehend.  Such is the case with the word “abide.”  This advent season I am reading the book “Abide in Christ” written in 1895 by Andrew Murray.  Each time I ponder the meaning of “abide” my mind wanders to my black Labrador Retriever, Adi.

When you look at the history of the Labrador Retriever you can see how they were bred to remain close to their master.  Labs trace their roots to the St. John’s Water Dog.  These Canadian dogs spent their days sitting in fishing boats next to their master waiting for the command to retrieve nets, lines, wayward cod, and even the occasional fisherman’s hat.  In the St. John’s dog, English noblemen saw the perfect companion to the waterfowl hunter.  One that would gladly walk with them to the water’s edge and sit alongside them in a blind waiting for the command to retrieve a bird.  Thus, was born what we know today as the Labrador Retriever.  In essence the Labrador was bred to abide, to dwell, to remain with their master.

If you have ever lived with a Retriever, you know firsthand that life with a Labrador is not singular but plural.  Where you go, your Lab is sure to follow.  When I move, Adi moves. When I stop, Adi stops.  When I rest, Adi rests. Her greatest desire in life is to be by my side.

I, in turn, love living life with my Labrador.  Therefore, I alter my actions to ensure she stays with me.  Slowing my steps so she can easily keep up.  Holding the door open a little longer so she can slip through.  Calling her name when she loses track of my exact location. 

With Adi, I find a real time illustration of the abiding relationship.  This is the kind of relationship, Jesus calls us to.  In John 15:4, Jesus says, “Abide in Me, and I in you . . .”

When I abide with Jesus Christ, my heart’s desire is to be in His presence every hour of every day.  I follow His lead.  I heed His commands.  When he moves, I move.  When He stops, I stop.  Jesus’ words assure me that He, in turn, wants to abide with me as well.  He’s slowing his step so I can keep up.  He’s holding the door open for me to follow.  He’s calling my name when the darkness or obstacles of this world seem to hide Him from view.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

John 15:4, NKJV

*Lyte, Henry Francis. (1847). “Abide with Me” [Lyrics].

© 2023, Lessons from a Lab, Beth Alisan.  All Rights Reserved.

37 thoughts on “Abide with Me”

  1. Katherine Pasour's avatar Katherine Pasour

    “Abide With Me” is one of my favorite hymns. Thank you for writing about this Scipture and sharing such a wonderful application featuring Ali. My faithful dog died this week and it’s been such a shock and loss. She abided with me.

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  2. Oh Beth, this is so beautiful and touching to me. To think that Jesus wants ME by His side! His love is unfathomable. You expressed it perfectly in your description of sweet Adi and how she is so faithful to be near you. I love the picture you painted in words of Jesus slowing down for me or holding the door. Such a blessing to me this morning!

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  4. I had never thought of the Lord slowing His pace or waiting for me with an open door. That two sides of abiding is a great hope and comfort. Andrew Murray is one of my favorite authors. I am in one titled “Absolute Surrender” right now. Great thoughts and as always, a wonderful photo of Adi and ? looking out together to the horizon.

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    1. Thank you Pastor Pete. Andrew Murray is a favorite of my Dad’s. This is my first time reading his work. I came upon the book at my favorite used book store and snatched it up. It’s so old the glue holding the pages is failing. Hopefully I can hold on to all the pages. The mystery person in the pictures is me. Taken by my eldest at some of our favorite places to hike.

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  6. Andy B of The BerryBunch's avatar BerryBunch.family

    Beautiful illustration

    In this busy season of creating a new norm, I’m grateful that – while I barely have time for reading blogging posts (which I don’t like whatsoever) – I can find a gem like this one, that points mr back to the foundation that doesn’t change when so much around us does.

    Thankyou.

    Andy B

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  8. Tears are falling down my cheeks as I read through your post, Beth. I felt each word. And I’m reading it right after telling my daughter about our prayer time. I don’t know. I felt emotional about this. Happy emotions, that is. Thank you for sharing this, Beth. ❤️

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  10. Thank you for yet another heart-touching post, Beth. I found myself praying your last paragraph; tears springing to my eyes. During this most blessed Advent season, may I learn more of what it means to abide like Adi!

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    1. ❤️ Thank you Nancy! I know you understand the importance of both the advent season and the fruit that comes from abiding. Your writing is some of the beautiful fruit grown through your abiding in Christ.

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  13. You know that I love your blog, but today this post is so awesome, I cannot put it into words. You have presented the understanding of ‘abide’ in such a beautiful way. I will hold this message in my heart, especially in this Christmas season, remembering that if I slow down a bit, Jesus waits for me. We live in a world that constantly tries to remind us that we are somehow missing out on something, or that we are simply not doing as much as we should at any given time. We are meant to live our lives in harmony with God, waiting on His word and council. It has little to do with worldly things. Moreso, it means listening with our hearts at all times, knowing that God abides with us moment to moment, every day.

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    1. Thank you Linda for your beautiful comment! You hit the nail on the head when you said that we live in a world that is constantly saying we are missing something or not doing enough. I know that I’ve falling prey to that hamster wheel type of thinking on too many occasions. Then I am spinning so fast that I can’t keep my eyes on Jesus and land further from him in my human efforts to do more. As I read your comment, I couldn’t help but think of Matthew 11:28 and marvel that when sharing Jesus’ yoke, He sets a pace that gives rest while in motion (Matthew 11:28)

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