Aligned Fitness Ministry

This topic has been presented to me at least three times within the last week. I read the book of John in its entirety for the first time, and wow. God’s word never fails to amaze me. The love and wisdom from Jesus in such a broken world are truly liberating to imagine the future God holds for each of us if we follow and love Jesus.

John 12: 24:

“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.”

Verse 25 & 26 continues to clarify,

“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 will also be. My father will honor the one who serves me.”

Okay, A LOT to unpack here in these versus. We will start with John 24.

Jesus is speaking to the Greek people during a festival. He begins to testify about his death, and shares warns those who resent God of death, rather than eternal life. His analogy shares that if the kernel of wheat dies, it produces more crop. Meaning, if we die to our flesh, we can produce more crop for the kingdom. Jesus declares the importance of dying to the person you were before seeking Him, before you can reach an intimate relationship with the father.

This is for the overall success of the Kingdom! This is recruiting others to follow God and declare his provision over others. This is so we can bear a bountiful harvest and honor God with the way we handle challenges we face in life. This is so we can see His face and achieve eternal life in the Kingdom! This is good news! The things we endure in life shape and mold us. We get hurt, we get stuck in survival mode, we feel pain, sadness, and grief, we make mistakes and sin. That is why we must die to the person we once were to be made new again, in God’s image.

That is why Jesus declares in verse 25, “anyone who loves their life will lose it.” The gospel is not saying you should live in agony, bitterness, and distress and loath the life God has given you. Jesus is saying if you love pleasures of this world more than Him, you will never reach the Kingdom. We must hate the things that are of this world, comparison, greed, revenge, gossip, dishonoring others, stealing, killing, etc. to be made new again and see the eternal kingdom.

Let’s dive even deeper.

Why does God want us to be made new again? Especially when we grow comfortable in the lives we are in. Check this out ⬇️

1 John 5:18:

“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.”

If we worship things of this world, we are more likely to get hurt. Plain and simple. If you place relationships, money, career success, sex (outside of marriage, a whole different discussion), etc., above God, you will never feel fulfilled. You will end up hurt, or hurt others. God is the king of peace (Colossians 3:15). He wants us to be joyful and absorbed in His love and will for our lives (Romans 14:17).

This process of being made new again can be painful. You may lose relationships, you will feel isolated, you may face change of heart and things that once brought you please no longer satisfy you. You may lose a job, have your own plans ruined and lose everything. You will feel pain, and the enemy will try to convince you that God has betrayed you. But I encourage you to cry out to the Lord.

He wants you to come to him, He wants to comfort you, He wants to help you grow. I have experienced this many times, and I’m almost certain I will again. We must grow out of our comfort zone to walk deeper in our callings with God. And His plan is always so much better than ours.

So, if you feel alone in this season, if things are crashing down around you, if you are going through something like depression, anxiety, please seek help. Seek mentorship, seek groups- even Facebook groups! But above all, fill your spirit with the word of God, pray, journal, and bring every hard question you have to Him. Give it all, repent, have your chains of sin removed and break free in Christ. He wants you. The King of Kings wants you. Do not be afraid of upsetting Him, as He knows all, He feels your pain and sees your distress, He can hold all of your emotions. Lean into that and trust that he will renew your spirit.

I was on fire for this message, even if no one reads this, I had to write it out to share. I pray the lord blesses you, and you begin to see that hardship can be for our good. That God is calling you to a much better beginning. Peace be with you!

May God Bless You,

Kelso 🤎