I’ve heard it before…and I actually believe it. Unless something dies, it can’t produce
life. Kind of an oxymoron I guess,
but when you think about it, it makes sense. Unless a grain of wheat is buried and dies, it is never any
more than a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it sprouts and reproduces itself
many times over. The same was true
for Jesus’ life. Because of His
death…we can now find life.
And I’ve lived my life the past couple years trying to
assimilate this truth more and more.
Coming to grips with the fact that there are parts of my life, my
desires and my will that have to die to produce life. Looking back that has been my focus…dying to those
things. What I’m realizing now, is
that dying really isn’t enough.
Dying in and of itself isn’t enough to produce life. I know plenty of people and things that
have died and life wasn’t the result.
Why?
As I read the story of Jesus and his death, I realize that it
wasn’t only his death, but the manner in which he died that produced life. He had every right to be bitter, angry
and frustrated with everything and everyone around Him. But that’s not how He chose to
die. Jesus died in love…humbly
going to the cross, giving Himself for those who don’t deserve Him, and even
forgiving those who crucified Him!
And that’s what was produced in his dying…LOVE. The way in which you die produces more
of the same. It can be your
life…your will…the way you sacrifice for another. If you die in anger…more anger is born. If you die in love…more love is born.
My attitude and posture in my death are as important as the
act of dying. Time to start
thinking more about my attitude, my motives and my heart and what they’re
producing in the deaths I encounter.
