In my last post, I ended with the idea of preparing for the next season -- and what that looked like. With this in mind, I'm going to attempt to combine these two events that have made a big impact on both my life and thought-process lately...
The central theme for our retreat this year was "Building Strongholds," and we had the pleasure of having Steve Demme speak (for all you home schoolers out there!). During one of the sessions, I found myself glancing back through my notes and noticing a pattern of one-particular reoccurring "idea." He continually referenced back to John 12:24... "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." He explained that in literally every area of life, we must be that dying seed -- one who is willing to die to one's own desires and serve someone else. We are called to be this dying seed no matter what season of life we are in. It applies to honoring our parents, loving our siblings, showing kindness to our enemies, and serving our spouse.
A couple years ago, I painted a canvas with this Scripture verse on it and hung it on my wall. Coming home from the retreat, I will never look at the same way. It has so much more meaning in my life. In addition to this new "outlook," I have added a new characteristic to diligently pursue during my precious season! --- the falling process. As many will notice, dying is usually not a fast (or easy) process, especially for a kernel of wheat! And unless that seed dies, it cannot produce more seeds. Christ calls us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him. As I seek to become more like Christ, I know that it will involve the denial of myself (my wants, desires, and needs). But as I continue to pursue this attribute of humility, I know that it will also be beneficial, years down the road, for marriage -- "Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). In fact, I've heard it said that marriage IS that picture of wheat... the giving of yourself in order to serve another person. Praise God for this beautiful picture He so clearly illustrates!
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| ~ John 12:24 ~ |
SDG
2 comments:
Thanks for sharing what God put on your heart... I can so relate to this blog. Falling (loosing control) and dying (to self) are definitely hard, but they are crucial in being used by God and letting Him be glorified. The more He teaches me about Himself, the easier it is to let go and die... The more I learn of Him the more I want to let go and die. We serve an Awesome, Loving, Sovereign God. <3
Beautiful girl you have no idea how much this post spoke to me. Ive been struggling so much lately and looking at it I can see how selfishly i have been seeking after stuff to build me up and trying to be more godly and trying to find a routine.And ive been missing on all the beauty that there can be in the fall of giving up what i find important for what God sees as important. Thanks for your friendship darling :) But truly our commitment is shown in dieing so that he can use us to grow more believers.
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