Where am I?

S - John 12:24-26, 32-36 (NLT): "The truth is, a kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone--a single seed. 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 despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.  … And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself." He said this to indicate how he was going to die. "Die?" asked the crowd. "We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. Why are you saying the Son of Man will die? Who is this Son of Man you are talking about?" Jesus replied, "My light will shine out for you just a little while longer. Walk in it while you can, so you will not stumble when the darkness falls. If you walk in the darkness, you cannot see where you are going. Believe in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light." After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them."

O - Jesus always practices what he preaches.  Losing one's life, despising one's life in this world instead of loving it is how he lived among us, pleased the Father and accomplished the work he came here to do.  It will be the same for all who will follow … and his disciples must follow and must be where he is.  "Where he is" is more than a designation of "place" but of life, agreement, purpose, event and process.  Those who follow find that not only are they honored by Jesus but by the Father too.  Believing this is to volunteer to live it out as one follows.  The requirements and rewards of following are presented ahead of time in general terms.  The specifics are reserved for the journey … for the following, for the coming near and staying near Jesus.  This is his light which enables us to become children of light. 

A - There are seasons/moments where the Lord's light is shining out to us and then seasons/moments when he is "hidden." My assignment is to walk when the light is shining is so I will know how to stay on course when he is hidden (which is not the same as absent).  By leading with losing and despising my life in this world I am completely free to respond to any need which presents itself and to any instruction he would give me.  The result will be more than "getting through" or finishing … it will be a plentiful harvest of new lives.  Bono got it right - walk on!

P - Lord who is Light,
Thank you for including me in your life, will, purpose and work here and hereafter.  Thank you for the awesome seasons of light when you are shining ever so brightly.  Thank you for seasons when you are "hidden" and give us the privilege of stepping out what you've entrusted us with "in the light."  Lord, I want to follow and my answer is yes to any and to all you require.  Today, I will follow by leading with the choice to despise and lose my life in this world.  I want to follow, to be where you are, to make you and your Father and the Holy Spirit glad.  I welcome your promises from afar and thank you for new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and for that which is too wonderful for me.
Steve