Dead to the World

“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat.

But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life.

But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.” 

(John 12:24, The Message) 

Q: How are we to become “dead to the world?”

  • by dying to the desire for a trouble free life.
  • by dying to our desire to express our freedom in an offensive and unbecoming manner.
  • by dying to the demanding need to have our own way.
  • by dying to the desire to have our preferences dominate.
  • by dying to the need to have no frustration in our lives.
  • by dying to the desire to be happy apart from God.

Q: What will sprout up out of this dying?

  • A winsome, becoming person who is not easily provoked, who is not ruled by her preferences, who wears deep contentment as a garment.  Who has learned that dying is the pathway to a recklessly wonderful life! 

A Heart Like His

“Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.  Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play.  Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” 

1 Samuel 16:14;23

jealous_rage.jpgWhen the Spirit of equipping power left Saul he was left with such a moral vacuum that it scared him to death!  Into that vacuum rushed every scarey thought that can take a sane person captive. 

Fear of failure – of defeat; of loss of influence; of being disregarded by those who used to value you; fear of being alone.  His torment was  so evident that his servants took notice and tried to help the King find relief. Can you imagine? 

The mighty king, so paralyzed by the spirit of fear that he needed to rely on the wisdom of his servants to find a path of relief.  Into the discord and disharmony that fear created comes the harp playing, anointed David.  He, with the Spirit’s presence, brought harmony and refreshment to Saul’s troubled heart. 

How powerfully this reveals the call of God to Spirit indwelt believers!  We enter into service to the fear-filled, tormented world playing a harmonious melody that refreshes and relieves panic in others.  That harmony is created not by our efforts but by the very presence of God’s Spirit within us!  We are vessels of grace to a scared world.

Lord, today please use me to bring harmony out of discord.  Spirit, move me out of self imposed solitary pursuits and into the world seeking to relieve and assist others to feel better!  Show me who I might serve today Lord.  Give me a song of relief for your people! Amen