Happy Holidays to you all! I know that it has been a little while since I have written a blog. And as I lay in my bed on the eve of one of the most significant celebrations that Christian’s all over the world stand united in honoring, I can’t help but think about the cycle of death. Death, like any season, has a cycle. For just as the book of Ecclesiastes says, there is a time to live and yet a time to die. However, there is more to “the time to die” that has really rested on me in this moment. And it is in that vein, I would like to share with you.
Before I go any further, I ask for a measure of grace as I write about a few vulnerabilities. It is not to start some competitive war in the body of Christ that says, “Look at me. My “boo-boo” is bigger than your “boo-boo” and therefore what I am about to say is more valid.” No dear friends, it is just because I am in a season of realness like never before. So before we move forward, I ask that you take off your mask and let’s “Keep it 100” as my generation has so popularly coined.
I wasn’t quite sure if I was really considering the cycle of death because it is the eve of Resurrection Day; which in my eyes is one of the most powerful days to ever learn & experience in your walk with God. When you come to a place where you really understand what the word “Resurrection” means, and how it is applicable to your very life, it changes your perception. Or was I considering the cycle of death because of my own season of death with the devastating loss of my cheerleader, my coach, my confidant, my teacher, and my mentor; none other than my grandmother? I lost her during the time where I was supposed to be celebrating Thanksgiving with family, yet was burying her body instead. Or maybe it was the very public and humiliating loss of a relationship last year as well. I could go on and on as there has been loss after loss. And I know that I am not the only person that feels the same way as I am feeling about this. Even with all of the losses that not only I have experienced, but many of you have experienced, it is nothing like the loss of a Son on the cross as Our Father endured the grief and pain of what He had just witnessed. Earth became nervous and even the sun hid his face as he couldn’t bare to see what had just taken place at the crucifixion. But whatever the origin was for me to consider the cycle of death on this night, I do believe that I have a Word.
The bible says in John 12:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Now, we know that Jesus was the first seed to fall into the ground and die, yet bring forth much fruit. If the saying of, “Anything dead ought to be buried” were solely true, then the burial site with Jesus’ remains would still hold true to it’s original intent of doing so. But we serve a risen Savior that not only died, but conquered death, hell, and the grave, and then did the impossible by rising from the dead on the third day! Scripture says that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, making daily intercessions for us.
Understand that if it seems that you are in a death process, that things are being stripped from you, that you are being penalized for your obedience, that your name is being drug through the mud & your reputation has been tainted, that what used to work no longer works, and who used to be there is no longer there, when depression is heavy and contemplating suicide seems to be the only escape…allow me to introduce you to the cycle of death. As painful as it is, you are in a death walk. Yes dear brother, and dear sister, you have already endured a lot. Trust me, I’ve been there. But this is the death walk you take because it is actually producing the seed that is needed to fall into the ground and as a result, bring forth much fruit. Just as you died today, so shall you live tomorrow. When He got up, YOU got up too. And the same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead is the same power that can quicken your mortal body (Romans 8:11). Then and only then will you see the glory being revealed in you. That’s when the fruit from the fallen seed is revealed. That’s all that means when the scripture says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).” Your sufferings are simply a death process, your place of Golgotha which is where the seed falls to the ground. But your revealed glory is simply your displayed resurrection to those, including yourself, that thought you’d never rise again.
As you enter a time to commemorate the Resurrection power of Jesus, be grateful for the same Resurrection power manifesting in your life which ultimately brings much fruit. With that said, I pray that as you enter the house of God tomorrow, you experience a surging of the Holy Ghost and that the same Resurrection we are celebrating can and will quicken your mortal body’s and produce life and much fruit. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
From my heart to yours,
HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!
Lady Mia Johnson
