Isn’t it so that we dread death of all kinds? Physical death is only one measure of a death of sorts. For we all experience the death of dreams, friendships as we know them, seasons of life and ministry…and even places we thought we would be… but God… Much of which is gut wrenching and leaves us with more questions than answers. Yet as I have sat with the Lord and studied His Word awaiting many answers myself, I am finding much beauty is birthed from death. “Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it stays alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.” This passage continues to scream out at my heart in John 12:24. The truth is one of the first things God does to a dream..is shatter it. For truthfully many are self made..not God made. Then He begins the rebuilding process. The wheat seed sacrifices itself in order for new growth to occur. Just like Jesus did. He laid down His life for the life of others. He was the ultimate sacrifice. So through death of this little seed…new life happens. Without the death..the sacrifice..there is no new growth. So can it be that on our way to our appointed destiny..there must be death? A dying to self..a dying of selfish ambition..a dying to our heart’s longings…so that His may live through us. So I can tell you from a personal experience..yes..I have encountered many deaths. Some expected and some that took me by surprise. Each led me through a valley where there He taught me how to truly live. So I can tell you with delight that death has brought blessings I would never have known otherwise.

In the story of Joseph do we wonder did He cry at what seemed like the loss of His dreams? Did He lose hope? For in this pit was the making of a future leader of Egypt. By way of rejection His road led to destiny. A destiny that needed much preparation, many trials to purify the heart, and a persistence of pains and storms that would test His faith in the one who gave Him dreams as a youngster.

So today I ..with you..declare abundance out of death for this is His Word to His people.

“From Death to Abundance..”

(October, 2014 Shelly Wilson)

Death it is a fragile thought,
One that stings in moments lost.
For it occurs thru many ways
beyond thy daunting natural grave.
Loss of hope and loss of love
Will keep one in a valley dug
Yet this is where we trust true love
In learning He must be enough.
Loss of dreams and friendships past
May send us deep to oceans vast
Yet here is where He seems to lead
To speak with us so tenderly.
Thy road through death it seems to pour
To pastures lit by glories more
With Healing fields of priceless grain
Where blessings rise from seeds left lame.
Thy heart it will likely want to faint
Under thy might of heaven’s gaze
For it can be a pressing weight
As thy Potter’s hands create.
Yet once the sun removes it’s haze
He dulls the memory of thy pain,
Restoring that which locusts ate
Through death abundance makes it’s way.

Remember the pits and the prisons are what He uses to make us great…His plan is bigger, His heart is fuller, His vision clearer. His way is better.

Love Much,

Shelly