In the activities surrounding Nelson Mandela’s memorial last month numerous comments were made about his ‘undeviating forgiveness.’ In other words, they were saying he kept on track, he didn’t waiver or wander from this legacy theme. I’m guessing Mandela would have been the first to admit he wasn’t perfect at this, but none the less, it was evidently considered to be a characteristic that permeated his life.
As you think about someone specific that you know and respect, which of their characteristics would you regard as undeviating? Have you ever wondered how they maintained such focus and consistency in living their legacy? True, some people are more organized than others. Some are driven out of an adverse situation that propels them on their mission with great determination. Some have seen a vision of their end of life, and in that a certain clarity of mindset has settled upon them. I’ve found that cancer has a way of separating out the meaningless from the essentially meaningful. Becoming more aware of your pending mortality brings with it increased appreciation for what is important to you and more focused about how you want to spend the time you have remaining.
What is your undeviating legacy? Of all the things you do and say, what is it that you want to characterize your undeviating life? Once you know this, you will apply this with greater diligence. But then a strange thing occurs. You find that the harder you pursue this in your own power, the more elusive it becomes. You become more tired, worn down by your efforts, and your accomplishment of the goal is less successful.
This is because we were not designed to go it alone. We were designed to draw close to God so he would draw close to him. By dwelling in his presence we begin to take on his characteristics. Jesus says in John 15, “I am the vine. You are the branches. Remain in me and I will remain in you.” And what happens when the branches remains in the vine? They bear fruit. They don’t have to strain their muscles or exert themselves to the point of exhaustion. Staying connected to the vine allows the branches to be sustained by the vine and to bear its fruit.
Drawing close to God, resting in him, is an increasingly compelling activity. The more you come to enjoy his presence, the more you want to spend time with him. And you soon find that you have a desire to live an undeviating life centered around his will, and bearing his fruit.
“Remain in me and I will remain in you.” John 15:5
