The Call
“Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” – Jesus (John 12:24)
Jesus said this after he entered Jerusalem to acclaim….only to face crucifiction a few days later. He was, no doubt, speaking about Himself, but the call to die to yourself IS the Christian life. I struggle because I keep hanging on to this life and expect it to satisfy me. I’m reminded daily it doesn’t work that way….
Incompatible
What do you think of a person described this way?
1. Emotionally well-adjusted with a healthy self-image.
2. Always positive. Self-reliant even in the face of adversity.
3. Outgoing, ambitious, and confident with a can-do attitude .
4. Practical, realistic, and driven by results and performance
5. Highly competitive with a killer instinct.
6. Sophisticated, experienced and street-wise.
7. A fighter that never backs down.
8. A team player. Does whatever it takes.
This would look great on a resume, wouldn’t it? I wrote these as polar opposites to what Jesus described as “Blessed” in Matthew 5.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Midlife
The world is so built that, to help us desert our own satisfactions, they desert us. War and trouble and finally old age take from us one by one all those things that the natural Self hoped for at its setting out. Begging is our only wisdom, and want in the end makes it easier for us to be beggars. Even on those terms the Mercy will receive us. – C.S. Lewis, “Three Kinds of Men”
