While visiting my mom in MN this week, I grew fond of the elliptical machine for my daily workout. You can see it in the photo on the far left.

Eight years ago, I participated in a program called “Medical Weight Management”. I used their food and sat under the guidance of their dietitians. My weight loss was supervised by a medical doctor. The best thing that I learned throughout the program was to remain committed. We all transitioned from a 1200 cal/day diet to eating the individual number of calories that were allowed (as calculated by a resting metabolic weight test).

The graph that inspired me most in the first 6 months of the program was the steady weight loss as seen on each participants chart. Usually at week 12-15 (or so) many people noted a plateau or even a 5 pound weight gain, while doing the program correctly.

This is the point in the program, where a few people dropped out. They decided that they can do this on their own (less money) because obviously “it’s not working for me”. One such graph was displayed of a member who was on the verge of quitting but then stayed (remained in the program). This particular person dropped another 30 pounds, in addition to the 20 lost prior to their plateau.

What if they just gave up and quit when the graph went up instead of down? Would they have ever seen the joyful ending of hanging in there. They would have failed to get what they were hoping for and had committed to. They would not have remained long enough to see the desired result.

We don’t always see the end of the graph from where we are now standing. That doesn’t mean that a bump in the road will turn us away from our desired destination.

Sure, it’s discouraging, but what’s worse than struggling? I would have to say quitting on yourself is worse than struggling. Wouldn’t you rather continue on and abide in the investment made? #urworthit

In the passage below, John the apostle captures Jesus’ important message to his closest disciples. Jesus knew that there was suffering ahead for all of them. He encourages them to abide in the relationship that had changed their lives and would change the world.

The Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Why? Because He loved the world…he saw us as worthwhile.

Like the early disciples,the fruit that results from God’s love in us (as His sons and daughters) comes from abiding in Christ Jesus. Without Him, we are nothing and with Him we are “home”. Have you ever wanted to belong somewhere safe and beautiful -accepted as you are?

Have I asked the Father in Jesus’ name for the thing I desire most?-Teresa #fullnessofJoy #abide

John 15:1-17 (ESV)*

I Am the True Vine

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants,^[a]for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.¹⁷ These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

*OneYearBibleOnline