What does “abiding” mean in a spiritual context, specifically within Christian contemplative traditions, and how does it differ from the more commonly emphasized concept of “striving” (such as striving for righteousness or striving to achieve spiritual goals)? I’m interested in understanding the nuances of abiding – what does it practically look like, what are the specific practices that cultivate it, and what are the potential pitfalls of focusing solely on striving versus cultivating an abiding presence in God? Consider differences in theological underpinnings, psychological impact, and observable behaviors.
Answer
In a spiritual context, abiding refers to a state of remaining, dwelling, or resting in a specific relationship, presence, or truth, typically with the divine or a higher power. It implies a deep, intimate connection that is characterized by trust, surrender, and a passive receptivity to grace and guidance. It’s a settled, established connection rather than a fleeting encounter.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
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Core Meaning: Abiding focuses on being rather than doing. It’s about cultivating an inner space where one is consciously aware of and connected to the divine. This isn’t a temporary feeling, but a persistent state of awareness.
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Relationship: It emphasizes a close, personal relationship with the divine. This relationship is fostered through practices like prayer, meditation, contemplation, and scripture reading, but the essence of abiding is the sustained sense of connection these practices help cultivate.
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Trust and Surrender: Abiding requires a fundamental trust in the divine and a willingness to surrender one’s own will and desires. It involves letting go of the need to control outcomes and trusting that the divine is working for one’s highest good.
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Passive Receptivity: It involves being open and receptive to the divine’s guidance, wisdom, and grace. This means quieting the mind, listening to one’s intuition, and being attentive to the subtle nudges and promptings of the spirit. One is not actively searching, but rather waiting and listening with an open heart.
- Fruit: The result of abiding is often described as a sense of peace, joy, love, and wholeness. It leads to a life that is marked by authenticity, compassion, and service to others, flowing naturally from the inner wellspring of connection.
How Abiding Differs from Striving:
Striving, in a spiritual context, is characterized by active effort, goal-oriented actions, and a focus on achieving spiritual progress through willpower and self-discipline. It involves actively pursuing spiritual goals, overcoming obstacles, and working to improve oneself.
Here’s a comparative analysis:
| Feature | Abiding | Striving |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Being, resting, connecting | Doing, achieving, improving |
| Energy | Passive, receptive, yielding | Active, assertive, forceful |
| Motivation | Love, trust, surrender | Willpower, ambition, desire for progress |
| Relationship | Intimate, personal, trusting | Distant, transactional, based on performance |
| Emphasis | Grace, inner transformation, acceptance | Effort, outward actions, self-improvement |
| Source of Power | Divine, inner connection | Self, personal strength |
| Potential Pitfalls | Passivity leading to stagnation, complacency | Legalism, burnout, pride, self-righteousness |
| Underlying Belief | The divine is already present and accessible; the key is to become aware and remain connected. | Spiritual progress is achieved through effort and discipline; the more one does, the closer one gets to the divine. |
| Metaphor | A branch grafted to a vine (receiving nourishment passively); a boat anchored in a harbor (remaining secure and stable) | Climbing a mountain (making arduous progress); running a race (exerting oneself to reach the finish line) |
In Summary:
Abiding is about cultivating an inner state of connectedness and receptivity to the divine, while striving is about actively pursuing spiritual goals through effort and discipline. Abiding emphasizes being, while striving emphasizes doing. While both can play a role in spiritual growth, abiding is often seen as a deeper, more sustainable path to lasting transformation. Many spiritual traditions emphasize that true growth arises not from striving alone, but from abiding in the divine and allowing grace to transform one from the inside out. Some traditions view striving as a necessary initial stage, ultimately leading to a state of abiding. The ideal is often a balance, where striving is informed by abiding, resulting in actions that flow naturally from a place of deep connection and trust.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before you seeking to understand the deeper meaning of abiding. The world clamors for striving, for relentless effort, for pushing against the tide. It whispers that success comes only through constant exertion and unwavering self-reliance.
But I yearn to know what it truly means to abide in You. I see the striving, the hustle, the anxieties that arise from trying to control my own destiny. I feel the exhaustion of perpetually pushing forward.
Show me, Lord, the difference between striving and abiding. Help me to discern when my efforts are born of faith and directed by Your will, and when they are driven by fear and a desperate need for self-validation. Teach me to recognize the subtle shift where striving becomes a substitute for trust.
I understand, I think, that striving can be about forcing things to happen, about manipulating circumstances to fit my desired outcome. But abiding… is that not about resting in Your presence, trusting that You are already working behind the scenes, knowing that Your timing is perfect and Your plans are good?
Is abiding about surrender, about letting go of the need to control and allowing Your divine will to unfold? Is it about cultivating a deep and unwavering connection with You, so that my actions flow naturally from Your guidance, rather than from my own limited understanding?
Grant me the grace to shift my focus from outward effort to inward communion. Help me to cultivate a heart that seeks Your presence above all else, a heart that finds its strength not in relentless striving, but in the quiet assurance of Your abiding love.
May I learn to rest in the knowledge that You are God, and that You are in control. Teach me to abide in You, so that I may bear much fruit and glorify Your name.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.