Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” – John 12:23-28
There have been times when I "hated my life in this world," because it wasn't the positive experience that I had hoped it would be. I am not exactly sure what is at work in me that leads me to these valleys of discouragement, but I can begin to lose hope and develop an unhealthy cynicism concerning ministry. Thankfully, the indwelling Holy Spirit and a consistent dose of God's Word keeps me "over" rather than "under" my circumstances!
As Christ-followers, we may convince ourselves that this life should give us "more," that life should somehow be "better." Of course this means that rather than "hating" this life, we have "loved" it and wanted from it what it could never give us, which is true contentment. On the other hand, there will always be common everyday joys for those who find their contentment in Christ.
Most of us have had the pleasure of knowing “saints” who endure with grace the many trials God allows into their personal lives. Such people regularly testify to their hope in Christ alone and their joy in the promise of finally attaining their reward. These brothers and sisters in Christ have learned that there comes a time for each of us when we must let go of "this" in order to gain "that."
Lord, help us to always be “letting go.”
Those who know where the treasure lies joyfully abandon everything else to secure it. - D. A. Carson
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