Dying To Self

Before my husband and I started building our new house, I was already looking at color samples to get an idea of what the décor might look like. I began to notice that the color samples that I was drawn to were all in the same color family … browns, tans, etc. I liked them so much that I thought I would start looking for new colors while on my walks and let God inspire my color scheme! I kept gravitating to these coral/reddish leaves! Then I realized they were the dead leaves …but they were my favorite ones! Then it hit me …

We have to die to ourselves in order to

stand out and really be the vibrant, beautiful

color God wants us to be!

Jesus knows, more than anyone else, what a sacrifice it is to die to self. In a conversation with Phillip and Andrew, Jesus predicted His own death using this illustration in John 12:24, “I tell you the truth, 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.” Jesus went on in verse 25 to say, “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Funny that God can speak to me … even through these dried up, dead leaves. Thank you, Lord, for Your inspiration and also for allowing me to reflect on this revealing thought!

When others come into my new home and remark about my colors in my bedroom and bathroom, I smile – ever so sweetly – because deep down, I know that there is deeper meaning behind by color choices.

To die to self, we must become less selfish and put obedience to God before our own wants and needs. Yes, it’s difficult, especially if we try to do it on our own! We can only do it if we allow Christ to dwell within us … we die, but something more beautiful lives in and through us!

So, reflect on this today. Let today be the day that you begin the slow death-to-self process. In time, you can rejoice in the fact that your life will be more beautiful and much more fulfilling because of Who lives in you!