“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” (John 12:24-26)
Can I be honest? Really, truly, not-about-to-give-the-“Christian”-response honest?
I don’t like this verse. I don’t. There is a part of me that cringes and begins to mourn all the things I will have to give up in order to follow Jesus. In order to see my life “produce much grain.”
If you ask me what I’ll have to give up, I couldn’t rattle off a list. I don’t know exactly. But I do know that if I’m to follow Jesus I won’t always get what I want.
...if I'm to follow Jesus I won't always get what I want. #quietlythroughthursday #linkup Click To Tweet
I know following Jesus means humility and patience and sacrifice. All the things my flesh hates.
But if I take a breath…
If I take a moment to confess what I am truly feeling to my Father…
Then I remember.
I remember that Jesus is who I truly want. My spirit wants Him more than anything this world offers.
When I come to Him and cling to Him…
I find peace.
I find rest.
I find soul satisfaction.
Yes, being in an intimate, mind blowing relationship with my Savior is painful to my flesh. But it is also so soothing to my soul.
Being in a mind-blowing relationship with my Savior is painful to my flesh, but it is also so soothing to my soul. #quietlythroughthursday Click To Tweet
And every uncomfortable, painful, or disappointing thing my flesh must endure is worth an eternal life time with Jesus.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
This post was written why reading Quietly Through the Bible. Have you been following the Quietly Through reading plan? What has God laid on your heart this week as you spend time in His word? Please share in the comments or send me a message. I’d love to hear from you.
Only by grace,
Kelli
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You may enjoy these link ups as well: Chasing Community, Fresh Market Friday, Heart Encouragement, RaRaLinkUp, #Tea&Word, Warriors in the Word
5 comments
Kelli, I am with ya. We don’t always get what we want. When I look at the life of Jesus, I can see that he gave up everything actually – and that is a hard one for me to swallow most days. It is still a truth I want to think on daily and give him praise for. When I dwell on love for me (us) and what he did give up to save me (us) he draws me to him this way and the things that want to drag my flesh down have less and less hold over me. The stronger the spirit is, the weaker the flesh is and vice versa. Thanks for sharing the Word with us, friend!
I like how you phrased that: “The stronger the spirit is, the weaker the flesh is and vice versa.” It reminds me of the contrast Paul talks about in Romans 7 and 8 (I think those are the chapters), when he focuses on himself he gives into his flesh, but when he focuses on the love of Christ he lives by the Spirit. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today, Meg.
Such a relief to read your honest thoughts – thank you. Honesty and heart truth do good work. God bless. I Linked Up next to you at Chasing Community – so glad I did.
Hi, Tracey! Thanks for your kind words. I’m finding that even though honesty can be a little intimidating at first, it’s a whole lot easier than faking “perfect” Christianity. 🙂
Kelli, that dying to self and what we want isn’t always easy, in fact it rarely is! But what we get in return … it truly is “the great exchange”! Thanks so much for your honesty and for hosting. Have a great week-end!