Seed of Faith

What good is a seed? As long as it stays whole it's of little purpose. Only when planted, or forced open like popcorn, can the seed become what it was meant to be. But once it begins to sprout, the seed itself is lost forever. It will break open, releasing everything inside, and become something completely new. As Jesus prepared his followers for his death, he spoke of himself, his disciples, and us as a grain of wheat.

24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27 "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--' Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. (John 12:24-27)

If, in fear of it's destruction, the seed holds itself tightly together, it will never grow - never become more. We have the opportunity to both be and plant seeds of faith. Only when we let go of our notions of who we "should" be can we open up and release all of the gifts God has placed in us. Though his soul was troubled, Jesus knew that the path to his true purpose - our salvation - would require him to let go of any notion of earthly success or kingship. This was the very reason he had come. As we loose ourselves to God's purposes we, too, will be made new.

2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him (1 John 3:2)