For Impact

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

(John 12:24 NKJV)

“If you want to go fast go alone but if you want to go far, go together with others”.  This is an African proverb speaking on matters speed and matters impact.  It calls us to consider what it is we want to achieve, is it speed so that we move alone to avoid being distracted by others and gaining on time, or is it a collective impact where the more people involved the greater the strength to keep going and to achieve a multiplied result, greater than the sum total of the individuals.  It is all a matter of perspective and the goal that one wishes to achieve.  There are however many times we take action without reflection on what we want to achieve and this makes us often fight in the dark, feel frustrated as we try to control what we want or are doing, while at times we just need to let others provide the leadership or the support we so much need.  The realization of what is the right thing to do makes all the difference to our experience and the results that we achieve. 

Beloved, many of us know that there is more about our lives than we are achieving, and yet we do not know what we need to do in order to see the results that we know deep down we should.  Maybe the African proverb above has lessons to learn from.    I recently heard someone say that when we plant a seed of corn, the output is on average a hundred and twenty seeds grown.  While I cannot confirm the accuracy of this increase, it is true that once a seed is planted, it dies first then germinates and grows into a full plant which in turn produces more seeds and the circle continues. Our reference verse above gives us counter-intuitive advise when viewed from our human wisdom but fortunately, these are the words of Jesus as He taught, we therefore are best informed to take it to heart.  He went on to say that if one loves his life he will lose it (Verse 25).  While in this conversation, Jesus was referring to His imminent death which was to bring salvation to mankind (Galatians 3:13), He also invited us to follow Him thankfully not to physical death as He suffered but as led by the Holy Spirit of God ,change our lives for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.  Beloved, only the Holy Spirit of God can help us know what needs to “die” in our individual lives so that the light of salvation is seen in us.  The bible speaks to us  about living transformed lives and offering our bodies as acceptable sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1-2);  denying ourselves and taking on the cross (Luke 9:23); purposing to deny ourselves some pleasures if our actions would mislead or offend others (1 Corinthians 8:12-13).  The bible has guidance on how our lives should reflect the faith that we have embraced.  Paul makes a bold statement that our lives should be the life of Jesus Christ who died and gave His life for us (Galatians 2:20).  Brethren, our lives will bear a greater impact if we not only learn the word but also do it (James 1:22).  When we cease to do what our carnal nature has taught us and we choose to live the renewed transformed lives, then we are allowing ourselves to “die” for the gospel.  Those interacting with us observing the changes and positive transformation of our lives, will then be drawn to our Saviour and Lord, our lifestyle will be the testimony that changes them.  Our lives following Jesus become the seed that multiplies and grows the Kingdom of God.  Beloved, it is a choice to remain alone or to populate the Kingdom of God. What  will you choose?

Thoughts:

How has the gospel changed your life?

What impact has your changed life had on those around you?

Are there areas of your life that you need to “die” to?

What hinders you from taking the steps of expanding the gospel?