Be Like Wheat

John 12:24

"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

I've heard this verse many times before.  You probably have, too.  But I've been thinking about this verse lately.  These are words that Jesus spoke.  These words go completely against the way the world thinks and operates.  The world's version would probably go something like this:  Unless you protect and preserve yourself, you will never get anywhere in life.  Unless you look out for yourself you will never become someone of wealth and/or fame.

But Christ calls His followers to be different.  I am a Christ-follower, therefore I should be different.  I shouldn't swallow the lines that the world tries to feed me.  I should completely and unreservedly follow my Savior and Lord.  That means dying to self.  That means no self-promotion, no self-protection even. 

Many times, Jesus' words didn't make sense to those around Him.  He turned things--the world--upside- down!  His words are not logical to our way of  thinking.  But God doesn't ask us to use human logic.  He  asks us to follow Him no matter the cost and obey. 

This world is not my forever home.  Many times I lose that perspective.  But when I re-gain the proper perspective I realize that I should not be seeking a reward here.  I may not even see fruit harvested from what I've done in my lifetime.  Abraham received the promise, but he did not see its fulfilment during his lifetime.  But he had faith anyway.   " 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend."  (James 2:23)

I guess I want to be like Abraham.  I want to believe God, and I want to be called God's friend.  God will take care of the results.