Because of Jesus I Am...ናሙና

Wanted: Not Dead, But Alive

Verse - “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:22)

Think - Every Spring, I bring out of the basement a box of various flower bulbs that have been stored over the winter. The bulbs look dried up and dead, with no sign of life in them at all. Yet, I plant them in the ground and allow the soil’s moisture and warmth to bring them to life. Soon, green stalks are popping out of the earth, and in due time, beautiful flowers. If these bulbs would not have been planted in the ground, they would have remained dead and lifeless.

As human beings who are sons and daughters of Adam, we often do not see ourselves as being dead, lifeless bulbs. Sure, we are physically alive, but our existence is one that struggles to find meaning and the feeling of being alive. Perhaps we struggle to know what it truly means to be alive.

In John 12:24, Jesus teaches that “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.” When we, as human beings, give our lives over to Jesus Christ, we submit to being planted in the soil of His love. And then an amazing transformation happens. We die to ourselves and begin to really live. Our aliveness becomes evident as we bear fruit and exude God’s love to others.

Apply - If you are honest with yourself, are you living a life that is dead or alive? Are you constantly pursuing things you hope will bring you energy and happiness but instead leave you feeling empty? Perhaps it is time to think about submitting your life and purpose to God’s care rather than your own. God will plant you in places that will allow you to be nourished and grow into the person that God created you to be. And in dying to yourself, you will fully be made alive.

Pray - Heavenly Father, we thank you for being our Creator and our Lord. We praise you for your great love for us, your love that was so unbelievable and unfathomable that you sent your son to die for us so that through our belief in Him, we can live. Help us to put our pride and need to control things aside so that we can fully submit our lives to you. As we die to ourselves, plant us in the places where we can be most alive for you, and help us grow in our lives and how we can serve your church.

Bio line - Mike Clemmer is the lead Pastor at Maple Grove Mennonite Church in Atglen, PA. He and April live in Strasburg, and they have three adult children and five grandchildren.