“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.” John 12:24

Beloved,

Jesus' picture of a kernel of wheat dying is a fascinating analogy of our submission to God’s will. First, there is the falling. The kernel that falls from the wheat stalk has no control over where or how it falls to the ground. It has no control over the ground that surrounds and then presses over it. Second, there is the waiting. As the kernel lies in the earth, it does not know what the future holds. It cannot _“imagine”_ what life will be like in the future, for it is only a kernel of wheat. Third, there is the dying. The kernel cannot possibly become a wheat stalk unless it gives up its safe, comfortable situation as a kernel. It must die; that is, it must give up what it has always been before so it may be transformed from a seed into a fruit-bearing plant.

Contemporary culture urges us all to demand and assert our rights. And all this is good and is often the way it should be. But as with Jesus, the will of God may ask us to give up our rights freely in order to serve the Father in ways that will make an eternal impact for God’s kingdom. This process of giving them up may be difficult and uncomfortable, creating the conditions of a crucible.

In order to be in a position to save us, Jesus gave up his equality with the father and moved to earth in the form and limitations of a human being. Jesus did not come as a great and glorious human being, but as a servant of other human beings. He did not even die in a noble and glorious manner. No, he was obedient to death – even death on a cross.

Many Christians sincerely seek to know God’s will for their lives. _“If only I could know God’s will for my life, I would sacrifice everything for Him.”_ But even after promising God this, we still may be confused about what His will is. The reason for this confusion may be found in Romans 12: 1-2.

It is only the renewed mind that truly can understand God’s will. But this renewal hinges on our death to self-first. It was not enough that Christ simply suffered for us — He had to die.

God bless you!