Dying to Live

Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? "Father, get me out of this"? No, this is why I came in the first place. I'll say, "Father, put your glory on display". John 12:27-28 (Msg)

Right now I am walking in faith. I have friends, that at this season of their lives, are walking in faith as well. One who is on a journey of great heartache-her family life hangs in the balance; another friend is watching the most important person in her life struggle. All of us are looking to God to provide Himself. We are walking in question marks and a whole lot of vulnerability.

Jesus had started His journey towards Jerusalem, a journey that was leading Him directly to His death. As He faced this daunting experience, He began to teach His disciples a most important lesson-one that transcends time and hearts. "Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over." (v. 24)

Dying to self. It doesn't come natural, and if you look around at our culture, the world has no idea what that means. People are figuratively and literally dying to be thin, dying to be beautiful, dying to be wealthy, dying to find significance and the meaning of life. Jesus tells us that in order to find true life and satisfaction we need to die to ourselves-abandon our will and plan and embrace His. We need to change our way of thinking and renew our minds with His. Until we die to ourselves, we are never any more than 'a grain of wheat'. A single grain of wheat not buried in the ground, doesn't serve its purpose, it doesn't accomplish what it was intended to do. But one that is buried and dies, gives way to life, life for itself and life to feed others. From one single, solitary grain, comes much. Jesus embraced the plan of His father. Jesus, in the midst of His impending torment and death, opted to trust and surrender. He came to do what He was called to do. He came to die so that we could live. He came to glorify His Father. As we walk out this privilege called life, our job is to trust and surrender. Our calling is to say with great joy, no matter what the situation, "Father, put your glory on display". As Christ-followers, are we dying to live?

Lord, put your glory on display in my life. Give me a love for you that runs so deep that dying to self will be my heart's desire always. Bring forth life in me and be glorified. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher