Fruit After the Dead Seed

”Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:24-26

I grew up on a farm and I love dirt! I enjoy the mess and the feeling of accomplishing something really worthwhile. However, I don’t think I’d like being the seed. I wouldn’t like being planted in the dark soil and seeing nothing for days. How messy and scary! Seasons of life feel so similar to this though! Being planted is hard. Things are new, and so many details are unknown. There’s often little we have control over. What carries us through these seasons?

As I look back I see the Lord’s presence in each joy and each trial. During our seminary time, the Lord was so faithful. Our marriage grew so much, we gained 2 more children, we became part of the AFLC family in a deeper way, and our trust and faith in Him grew as we saw His goodness. It was so neat to watch our children’s faith grow too as they saw God work!

As I look back, I’m so thankful His presence was with us. We were never alone even in the dark messy places. A flower is always more beautiful than the seed. But the seed must die first. In order to become something a little more like Jesus, we had to die to what was comfortable and give up the things we loved.

I’m so thankful we followed Him even though it was difficult. As we step out in faith, we anticipate God’s goodness because we know He who called us is faithful!

~Anna VandenBos