I just got home from our household meeting tonight. And the bible passage chosen for discussion and sharing was taken from today's Gospel (Jn 12:24-26). I can't help but share the power of today's Gospel to everyone currently serving the Lord. Allow me to copy in here the actual passage:

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat;

but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Whoever loves his life loses it,

and whoever hates his life in this world

will preserve it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me,

and where I am, there also will my servant be.

The Father will honor whoever serves me."

I'd like to focus in on the bold phrase above. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. I would like to address specifically the leaders in CFC Bermuda. There are many times in our service when we struggle, we feel that it is getting too difficult, maybe too painful to go on. We are tempted to think that maybe our efforts are useless and for naught. God reminds us today, that true service is to strain forward, dying for the Lord. We have to fall to the ground and die (not literally), then will the fruits be produced in completion. Jesus himself had to physically die on the cross for our sake. So whenever we feel alone in service, whenever we feel sad or defeated in service, let us be comforted by the fact that Jesus is watching us, smiling at us, telling us, "Thank you my child for dying for me in service." Our burden be lifted up for we know that the Father Himself will honor us. By the Power of the Holy Spirit, we learn to serve cheerfully, happily, and generously. Whoever loves his earthly life too much, to the extent that we don't want to serve the Lord because we are already happy with our free time serving ourselves, we will lose it in the next life. Whoever hates (not literally) his life, to the extent that our comfort zones are being disturbed, sacrifices have to be made, patience have to be exercised for challenging moments, then in the end we preserve the eternal reward. Not because of our own merit but because this is the true expression of saying YES to the Lord and accepting His unconditional offer of salvation.

May we all be fruitful in serving the Lord wherever we may be. May we always persevere in our service to the Lord.

In Christ,

Jay