The Hope of Something Beautiful

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 

-John 12:24

Death carries with it a painful sting. The death of a loved family member or friend changes who we are. Even the death of an acquaintance can shake us up. Why is that? Death really shouldn't surprise us. I recently saw a picture of a big bearded, scruffy man riding on a little pink bicycle and underneath it said, "Don't take life so seriously. None of us is making it out alive." 

No one will escape death's grip, and that isn't a secret. Yet it's a powerful phenomenon that always catches us off guard and stops us in our tracks. Death isn't pretty; it's painful for everyone involved. Yet from death sprouts life. None of us can live eternally unless we first die. And none of us can live life abundantly on Earth until we first die to self.

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone 

who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, 

my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 

- John 12:25-26

To serve and follow Jesus is to die to self. It isn't a one time decision, but takes regular re-commitment to deny our own desires, to seek God's will, and then obey. It's painful each time. Death will never be easy, and will never feel natural. Yet from death springs life. A harvest will never be reaped until it is first sown. A kernel of wheat will only remain a single seed unless it dies. Then it produces many seeds. Our challenge is to embrace the death that comes with being a Christ follower. Painful and scary as it many be; with hope that, like a kernel of wheat, something beautiful will grow.