I Must Die Today...

I Must Die Today...
Unless I die I cannot live, truly live. It's an interesting and perplexing paradox. Think of the seed - the one that today is at the center of life inside the fruit. But it must die in order to reproduce and become alive again. By itself it is of no use anymore but to be discarded - trash. But as it dies and is buried something beautiful happens - supernatural law, a law God alone has established, goes into effect - the dead seed in good soil comes alive and begins to grow. And it continues to grow and thrive through nourishment. The seed is tranformed, is made alive. It starts small as a seedling, then a sapling, then on towards maturity. And in time with proper nourishment and even testing, becomes a strong tree that produces fruit - many more seeds!

Know that these current trials are necessary to help you die again to yourself. They prepare your heart to grow. Continue when all hope seems lost. When darkness surrounds you, know that the storm is a force that will actually strengthen you. Now everything you do seems to fail. God seems quiet. It is in these moments of life that you must continue, knowing that the source and sustainer of your faith is strengthening you - even in the midst of these agonizing trials. He will not break you. The storms will prune you, removing the deadness of your former days, only to reveal new growth springing from that broken place!