A tree grows as long as it lives. When its cut down, it becomes useful for lumber and firewood.
A tree grows by increasing its girth over the surface area of the tree. From the smallest twig to the base of the tree. Its every effort is to support itself. When it lives, it works to grow and thrive. When it's cut down it dies, and is more useful to others.
We aren't much useful to others. When we live for ourselves. When we give up our rights and submit to the direction of the Lord we become useful for spiritual service.
We are better off if we give up our rights and desires. Why? Because then, God is free to bless us with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. We are living and seated with Christ in th heavenly places. If we try to fulfill our desires we are not living by faith and won't receive blessings from God. As we let go we receive. When we hang on we lose. Don't hang on to your life, let it go and receive all the blessings that God has for you.
Death brings a change in usefulness. Death bring 100% availability. There are no rights or hurt feelings after death. One of the reasons that we are useful after death is because we are not trying to please ourselves. We can be free to serve and to focus on others if we give up the right to our life.
Consider our Lord's call to carry our cross. Usefulness is closely related to availability.
“If anyone wishes to come after Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” Luke 9:23,24
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