TO DIE IS TO LIVE

    We live in the most ego-centric, self-interested, self-absorbed "ME" society the Earth has ever had the unfortunate displeasure of having to put up with.
    All the deserts on the face of the Earth were at one time fertile Crescents, but through time and erosion the eventuality of their destruction was predetermined. Humanity, in particular our society and its culture are so obsessed with the concept of self that it's willing to, at any and all cost, destroy whatever stands in the way of its personal fulfillment and gratification. We're even willing to kill babies in the womb to the tune of millions just to remove what we consider an intrusion into our peace and happiness. How much more depraved and destructive does it get? We are willing to kill our own kind, the continuation of who we are as human beings just because we don't want the inconvenience.
    History has never been kind to the story of humanity. Though there have been moments in time when people have come together for short periods, but for the most part, it's been a bloodbath going back to the creation of man. Survival of the fittest. If anything stands in your way kill it or make sure it never has power over you whatsoever. Whether it's dictators, emperors, premiers, kings, queens or regimes, history has continuously revealed and proven that the hearts of men and women everywhere are much darker than anyone wants to believe.
    Are we any different now? I don't think so. And perhaps because there's more of us today, it just may be worse. Oh sure, we live in what appears to be a higher level of sophistication and consciousness in many ways, but much of the world is as barbaric and twisted as it ever has been.
    That brings me to my point and why the title of this article. Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its way ends in death." That's a strong and ominous statement because it applies to every single one of us, from the least of us to the greatest. More startling are Jeremiah's words, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9 Is there a remedy? What is the anti-virus to this obviously harsh and bitter truth? Can we be healed? How do we even know if we're going the right way? How do we know what we determine as best for us is, actually best? Without sounding crusty and steeped in cliche, Let me break it down as simply as I can. We have to die to ourself so that we can live life to its fullest.
    Jesus said it this way, "I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies [meaning it goes into the ground and dies in order to begin the process of transformation] it stays a mere grain [it lies on the ground without accomplishing its purpose]. But if it dies it will multiply and produce a magnificent harvest. Therefore, the one who loves their life loses it, but the one who hates their life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life!" John 12:24‭-‬25
    Die? Is He actually talking about dying... as in going into the ground and never coming back, dying? Yes, in a way He is. He's talking about a mentality, a perspective that goes against the grain of human thought. To overcome ourselves and our self centeredness we must be willing to give up the idea of our agenda for the agenda of the One who knows not only knows what we were created for, but what's the best way for us to get there and accomplish that purpose with great success. Making sense is human, trusting God isn't. It takes faith and the willingness to lay everything down to have His perspective be the one we function in. But how?
    Humility! It's the rain that softens the hard ground of our lives that prevents the seed from going down deep so it can die and then live. But not just produce life in us but a harvest. Humility says to God "it's not my way that matters, but Yours, not my will, but Yours, not my agenda, it's Yours." Humility fills the clouds of Heaven for God to water our seed.
    I'm not talking to only Christians or the church here necessarily, though they're welcome to tag along, I'm talking to those who are stuck. Those who have a heart and desire to see change in their lives, who either don't know God or perhaps hate anything religious yet want to know who God is and if there is purpose for their lives. Those who have a longing for answers. To those who desperately want a connection to God, something that not only has meaning, but lasts. They are sick of this world, sick of doing things their way and never getting anywhere. Those who have lost hope and desperately want to find a better way. If you're reading this and it hits you and you're worn out with no place to go, then you have found the way to hope. Today is your day. 
    There is no coincidence you are reading this and experiencing the thoughts you are having in your mind right now. God loves you... that's right, right where you are and just as you are. All He is asking you to do is surrender. To give up control and die to yourself. To give your life to Him right here, right now. He wants you to know His only Son Jesus who was willing to die for you and take your sins and carry them Himself, paying the price so you don't, and just like that seed going into the ground, He rose up alive so that you could know God personally and have life, not just here and now, but forever. If home is what you're looking for then ask the One who created you and knows the way back, lead you.

    To all of you who know God and feel a deep sense of hopelessness in your life as you realize just how self focused and self absorbed you've been, constantly spinning your wheels, then it's just this simple... surrender, repent and come back.

    There is life after death. Not just the one where breath leaves your body for good, but a real vibrant life right here, right now. It's as simple as this... with God, to die is to live!


Steven Bliss
© 4/20/2020