What if it’s way more than I bargained for?

It is. Trust me.

The Gardener is gardening. The Vinedresser is dressing the Vine and cutting off the branches that no longer bear fruit. Where there is growth, He prunes so that even more growth will come. (John 15:1-2) Mary Magdalene bumped into Him when she went to the tomb. Mary expected the Gardener. (John 20:15) No one expected to meet Jesus...alive. No one really understood what it truly meant to be a disciple of Jesus. Not until they realized the Truth about resurrection. God had the last word over death. He had won the battle. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) Every one of us must answer this question. Do I believe this? True Christian discipleship acquaints us not only with death. But, also with real life—eternal life. The audacious Truth is you’re going to have to die in order to live. I know this may sound extreme. But, it is true.

1. Die to self. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

2. Die to selfish ambition. And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

3. Die to the old ways of doing things. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

4. Die to expectations. Those who love their lives will lost it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25)

5. Die to whatever you thought it was going to be like. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

There is always eventually a ‘trade up’ with God. I give this and God gives me that. God is spectacularly clear on the law of sowing and reaping. (Galatians 6:7-8) We give a little—we receive a little. We give a lot—we receive a lot. We give it all—it only gets better! Yet, all of this harvest and holy produce comes with a price. Yes, there is great joy that comes in the morning. But, there is also night and we are acquainted with pain that accompanies us along the way. Pain is simply an indicator that you care, that you acknowledge and validate you’re leaving something important behind…and that you loved someone or something well to the end.

God is up to something exciting and new at Wheatland. Regeneration is a powerful experience. But, it’s not without significant pain and the need for a time for mending and meaningful healing. Be part of it. Don’t wait. Get up and come along. We have work to do!

And without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6

Pastor Jen