“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ESV)

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NIV)

Of course, my husband and I said “yes” when our college-aged daughter asked us to go swing dancing with her and her friends. She assured us that we wouldn’t be the oldest ones. As we entered the dance hall in the middle of a corn field, we started dancing at the edge of the room and looked over to see our daughter– her tall, blond partner swinging and dipping her expertly. An elderly couple smiled at us encouragingly while skillfully navigating the dance floor. Feeling awkward but not judged, we kept dancing. A few songs in, a new couple stepped out on the floor and started copying us. Our turn to smile encouragingly. Eventually, some of the rudimentary steps began to feel easier, and we relaxed into the dance.

Learning the rhythms of dancing can remind us of abiding in Jesus in three ways.

A progression. Learned. Practiced. Jesus’ words in John 8:31 suggest the idea of being a learner who progresses to a state of ultimate freedom. Saying “yes” to Jesus begins the process of abiding, and continuing to say “yes” to him trains us to mature as apprentices.

Individual. We must personally make the decision to abide; no one can do it for us. But also truth is more than possessing the right information. Just as dancing is more than knowing the steps but cooperating with a partner, so also following Jesus is more than having correct doctrine. The word (logos) refers to both the person and teachings of Jesus. Truth is a person, and his name is Jesus (John 14:6). The invitation for each of us individually is to join the dance of abiding in him.

Communal. Abiding means reading and praying on my own, but the invitation is for so much more! We are a community. We abide in the person and teachings of Jesus together. When it’s hard to see God working in my life, I look around me. My faith is deepened when I see his Spirit healing and restoring souls in my community.

Abiding means both being and doing. It is belonging to Christ and cooperating with his Spirit to walk in the way of Jesus. Abiding means to stick with Jesus as his apprentice. It’s a process. And it’s not speedy. Abiding involves knowing the person of Jesus by way of his indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13). As we cooperate to allow his words to transform our souls, we are free to walk in his ways. Freed to dance in his way. You are made for freedom, and so am I.

Written by Mary Scheibe