I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? “Father, save me from this hour?” But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” John 12:27-28
Lent is a time when we can practice dying to ourselves. By dying to our own desires, we learn to live this verse: “whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life” (John 12:25). Hating our lives does not mean hating ourselves or the gift of life that God has given us; it means not being overly attached to our own self-interests and desires.
Jesus taught us about the results of learning to die to oneself: “…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.” What a paradox—to be so full of life that you can pass on life (become fruitful), you have to fall to the ground and die.
Notice the two actions: falling and dying. Falling to the ground suggests that we must become humble. One cannot remain prideful and puffed up and also fall to the ground. Dying to self requires letting go of our own wants and needs in order to allow God’s will to be done in our lives.
The result of falling and dying is fruitfulness. We’re not talking about productivity here; we’re talking about spiritual fruitfulness: “fruit that will remain” (John 15:16). Bearing spiritual fruits will always be the result of following God’s will and therefore will glorify Him. Spiritual fruitfulness consists of works of love and mercy and growth in virtue. When you let your light shine in this way, others will see your good works and give glory to God (c.f. Matthew 5:16).
Consider asking yourself what dying to yourself looks like right now. A good place to start is to simply have the desire to die to yourself in order to do His will.
God, grant me the desire to glorify You by falling down and dying to myself. May I live each day in accordance with Your holy will.