Popcorn, Grapevines, and Knitting

In verses 3-5, we catch a glimpse of a few key things that we need to be aware of and implement in our lives to become that living sacrifice. Paul warns us against pride; we are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Pride says, “My life is all about me!” We become puffed up and arrogant, like popcorn. The unpopped kernel of corn is quite a bit smaller than a kernel that has become puffed up. Once the kernel has become puffed up, it really can’t be used for anything else. So it is with our lives—if we spend too much time focusing on me, mine, and what I want. In Acts 20:24, Paul states, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.” Instead of focusing on himself, Paul states that he needs to live out the ministry of the gospel of God’s grace.

This brings me to a new word that was introduced to me this spring, gelassenheit, a German word that was vital to the lifestyle of our Anabaptist forefathers. It takes many English words to really define what this word means. Gelassenheit means complete yieldedness, humility, calmness, composure, meekness, tranquility, serenity, poise, and sedateness. It’s the opposite of self-assertion and self-reliance. It’s esteeming others above ourselves. When I think of gelassenheit, I am reminded of John 15, where Jesus tells His disciples that He is the vine and we are the branches. Jesus states that His Father is the vinedresser and will prune us, or remove the things that distract us, so we can bear more fruit. He reminds His followers that they can do nothing without Him and commands them to stay, remain, or abide in Him and His love. These ideas of submission, staying connected, being pruned, and bearing fruit are how we begin to allow our lives to be more than just about us.

Jesus states 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. The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.” Instead of being puffed up popcorn, we can renew our thinking and allow God to remove things in our lives so we can bear more fruit and present our bodies as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:4-5 tells us to think of ourselves as part of a body; all parts are important, but have different functions. This is the concept of koinonia, the fact that there is a sense of community and fellowship with each other—an intimacy and communion as a group of believers. Like a knitted sweater, scarf, or blanket, each stitch is connected or looped through the one next to it. There isn’t a single stitch that makes the garment, but all of the stitches—linked together—make the garment.

Therefore, I urge you, along with Paul, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, allowing God to prune you, and be joined with the body of believers.