When You Feel Buried: How God Brings New Life from Loss - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - October 28
“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” (John 12:24, NIV).
As I walked through the cornfield maze, surrounded by stalks taller than my 6-foot-2 husband, many parables filled my mind: the wheat and the weeds, a grain of mustard seed, the Prodigal Son, and the Good Samaritan. But I couldn’t move on from Jesus’ words in 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” (NIV).
Something about that verse replayed over and over again in my mind. As I reached out to touch a stalk, pieces of grain crumbled from my fingertips onto the ground. I looked at the fallen wheat and cornstalks. I heard the noise of tractors across the field plowing the harvest. And I wondered: Is this what it’s like when death brings life?
It sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? That something beautiful could come forth by death? But Jesus Christ gave us the ultimate example. Without His death and resurrection, none of us could live. Yes, we could technically live this human life, but eternity would be far from our grasp—not only far, but impossible to achieve on our own. This is why I believe Jesus uses nature and farming to illustrate this lesson.
Just as a grain of wheat that dies bears much fruit, Jesus’ death gave us life. Why? Because we were sinners, dead to sin. Without His death, His penalty for our sins, we would still be guilty. Not only that, but we wouldn’t have good news to share.
Enter News summarizes the passage: “On one level, this saying describes Jesus’ ministry. Jesus performs many miracles for people, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and raising the dead. Often, however, people misunderstand or are offended by these miracles. Jesus is like the grain of wheat at the end of his ministry: he is very much alone and misunderstood, even though people surround him physically. His ministry will bear fruit through his death, resurrection, and ascension, making it possible for God’s love to extend to the world.”
Friends, we as Jesus’ Disciples are called to share this Good News, this Gospel message, with the world. Most days, we must die to ourselves and our dreams and plans, exchanging them for His. But as long as we remain connected to the vine (John 15:5), we will continue to bear and produce much fruit. Our death to our sinful selves, fleshy desires, or worldly affairs brings life. It’s not just a paradox; it’s how God created us to live. And not just in words but in action and truth.
Jesus never asks us to do anything He wasn’t willing to do first. Jesus laid down His life, so we’re called to lay down ours for others. Jesus died so we could have eternal life, and we’re called to share that message with the world. Jesus exchanged His plans for God’s, trusting that God knew best, and we’re called to do the same.
In my life, I’ve experienced many seasons when I had to “let something die.” It was never a physical death, but my desire to be in a romantic relationship, my desire to be in control, my desire to be a traditionally published author. Five years into teaching, I felt like that grain of wheat that had fallen and died. I had nothing left to give. But now, looking back, I see what was produced. Looking back, I know the value and growth in surrendering control.
These times were heartbreaking. They felt like a loss. But in time, I began to see what God was planting and producing through the death, and I’m confident that He’s growing and creating in you. If we must experience death this side of heaven, it’s for a purpose. And what if the very thing you’re afraid to let go of is the beginning of something beautiful God wants to grow through you?
Even dying seeds hold promises. They aren’t always promises we can see, but they are promises God’s hands hold. Death is not the end. It’s the soil where new life, free and abundant, begins.
Dear Jesus,
Today, I give you _____. I’m struggling to see the death of _____ because I want to maintain control. In this wrestling, please help me by telling me that you have better plans for me. Teach me that when something has to die, it’s often just the beginning. Do a work in me as I learn to see the beauty and value in a death that brings life. We praise, thank, and trust you, Lord. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Sasiistock
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If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
