For Jesus to fulfill His mission, He first had to die.
But after He died God raised Him up to a new place and seated Him at His right hand as Lord over all.
This same death and resurrection principle works itself out in us. In fact, it's an ongoing part of life.
To carry out your own God-given mission you first have to die...
... die to your own agenda... die to certain character patterns... and die to the desire to succeed apart from God.
This dying is painful. But when we submit to it, we live in hope God is going to raise us to something new...
... which is really good news if you feel like you're dying.
After death comes resurrection.
So if you're at a point in life where it seems like you're dying, don't despair.
Instead, be on the lookout for a resurrection.
And be watchful for the new work God will do in and through you as He raises you up.
'For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection' (Rom.6:5).