The Upside Down Kingdom

The process of life consists of death, life, growth and deterioration.  All of creation continually shows this cycle.

In order for new things to come to life, the nutrients locked up in the dead organisms must be released.

Here is where decomposers come into play.  Microbes and fungi are decomposers that play a primary role in breaking
down dead and decaying organisms.

Like decomposers, as we consume the Word of God, we release the potential life stored up in the written word of God and at the same time get rid of old decaying lifeless patterns of thinking that hinder growth and spiritual production.

We must die to our will and our way before we can be born again.

This kind of death seems like foolishness to the world but in this upside down kingdom that we are a part of, death is the only  way to true life

Jesus tells the Greeks in John 12:24-25;

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

Again, Paul reiterates this concept in I Corinthians 15:36 when being drilled about the resurrection of the dead;

You foolish person!  What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.  And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel,...  

He says later on in Chapter 15;

What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory.  It is sown in weakness; it is raised in a spiritual body.

So here you have it!  The upside down kingdom!  If we are not willing to die to self, we will not bear fruit which is imperishable.  

How often do we shun weakness and cling to the facade of strength? Guess what?  We prevent ourselves from the glory that awaits us!  

We must heed the words of Jesus as He is telling us the truth!  He paved the way!  He died the death we deserved and we are called to live the life that we have been given for His glory.

That means humbling ourselves and seeking Him in all things.  It takes a willingness to get down in the dirt and die.  

But even in that dishonoring position, God sees a life full of potential to be raised in glory!

Let us never lose sight that in our weakness He is strong.  Like those tiny little mushrooms we have the ability to digest the word of God and absorb the nutrients locked up in Christs death, burial and resresurrection!  

We have the potential of the kingdom at our fingertips!  Let's consume it and absorb it and give up the idols of our hearts that prevent us from growth and the new birth!