Read: John 15:7-12
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (v. 7)
For a vessel safe in a dry dock, one might ignore the fact that ships are made for water and swells and storms and anchors, smelly fish and heavy iron ore and naval protection and passengers who need to cross oceans.
Today’s promise sounds like a fairy tale: “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” But just like ships aren’t made for dry docks, the promises of God aren’t made for sitting around in some landlocked paradise. Far from being a genie in a bottle, God is like a captain helping us navigate the ups and downs of life. Like a boat launched from dry dock, we must get in the water in order to practice abiding. Us in him, and his words in us. Thoroughly wet with truth, saturated with Scripture, sopping in the Spirit, and soggy with “thy will be done.” Then we ask, from a place of living, moving, and finding our being in him (Acts 17:28), from a unity between our spirits and his, and God gives us what we ask for.
Dry docks are made for repair, so go straight there if you wish, but expect the best ship mechanic in the world (who is also the captain!) to be hard at work, making you seaworthy, and prepare for a launch that might catch you by surprise. —Amy Clemens
As you pray, ask God to show you if you’ve been hanging around the dry docks or getting wet in the ocean of abiding.
About the Author
With a bachelors in journalism from Texas Tech University and a masters from Western Theological Seminary, Amy Clemens enjoys all things writing, particularly about the life of faith. She is blessed with a family that includes husband Fred, five children, and five grandchildren.
Amy has just published her first book, "Walking When You'd Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall," which weaves her journey from childhood abuse toward healing and spiritual growth with a practical theology for the big story of God. You can find out more about the book and author at walkingwhenyoudratherfly.com.
