Dying Young

Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels —a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.” John 12:23-25

WHEN THE WORLD talks about dying young, it is cast as a tragedy, a promising life cut short. But when Jesus calls our sons and daughters to die, even in their youth, it is not a tragedy. Instead it is an invitation to a life lived with no regrets, a life of adventure and intensity, a life that will matter into eternity.

To die young is to determine at a young age that this life is not about pleasing ourselves, comforting ourselves, or enjoying ourselves. It is about beginning to die now to self-interest, self-love, and self-importance. It is to determine that life will be about much more than a good education, a nice house, some winning seasons for a favorite sports team, and saving for a comfortable retirement. Instead it will be about giving one’s life away in ways that will bear fruit for the gospel of Christ.

The call of Jesus to our children to care nothing for their lives in this world so they can anticipate everything in the life to come goes against the grain of all our society says about raising our children to be “successful.” So when our children embrace this call to die to themselves early, we find that we are being called to die too. We may be called to die to our dream of having our grown children nearby as they chart a course to take the gospel to people on the other side of the world. We may be called to die to our desires for our children’s financial security as they follow Christ into work that forces them to live radically by faith. But as we die to ourselves, we will discover that we’re living the abundant life.

Lord, I pray for ________ that he would “die young.” I’m asking you to begin a lifetime of sanctifying work right now. Let the years of ________’s youth not be wasted or bring only regret. Instead, make them fruitful years that generate a plentiful harvest in your Kingdom.

And, Lord, I know that I’m not too old to die young. Give me the supernatural power I need to put to death anything that keeps me from being fruitful for your Kingdom.