5/10/11

If it dies...

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest. John 12: 24 (Amplified Bible)
 
Just the other day, S and I studied this verse as a part of her homeschool curriculum. God seems to like this verse:) It's funny how He keeps bringing it to my mind. Let's see, like when I start thinking things such as, "Why can't I just have ________ like everyone else?", it pops up in my head. Or when I think, "Lord, please don't ask me to share this or that with someone because I don't like being that vulnerable. I don't want them to think I'm stupid/conceited/overzealous/inadequate/prideful (you know these excuses, too...just fill in the blank)." Or this verse might pop up regarding something simple that I feel I want to complain about, like the thirty-ninth time I've had to stop what I'm doing to go help one of my children do something I find unimportant at the moment...like untying the knots in their Barbie doll's dress or finding some ponytail holders so they can fix each others hair. You know, THAT kind of stuff;) I don't know about you, but I find it really HARD to die to myself and my desires...like gritting my teeth and clinching my fists and having a screaming fit kind-of-hard!!! Still, I hear the sweet Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies..."...and He doesn't even have to complete the verse anymore...cause I get it. Immediately. Die to self by coming under complete submission to Him and HE WILL BRING THE INCREASE AND MAKE MY LIFE SO MUCH MORE.  Like a kernel of grain falling into the ground, dying, and growing up into a beautiful plant that produces more plants...something of much more worth than it was before. 

YES...I WANT THAT!!!

Then...I find myself humbled....thinking of all He did for me...dying so that I might live. And here I am with all my excuses feeling little and small and amazingly selfish. And I resolve, once again, to be a living sacrifice as the Word talks about in Romans 12:1. Moment-by-moment and breath-by-breath, relying on His strength alone, my flesh will be conquered and death will come...

...and then I will live
to yield a rich harvest
for His glory.

Please watch this video...


 "Here I am, take me, as an offering..."

What about you??? Are you gonna die, too???