August 23, 2026
— William Whiting Borden · Source: Letter of 10 February 1907, in Mrs. Howard Taylor, Borden of Yale '09: "The Life That Counts" (1926)
John 12:24 “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single seed; but if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Faced with the traces of Borden's life, which he gave up at the age of 25, we often waver between worldly benefits and the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. People are accustomed to measuring value by the length of life, the accumulation of wealth, and earthly achievements; but the law of the Kingdom of Heaven is "to be rooted downwards, to submit and surrender." Borden relinquished his inherited wealth and comfort, transforming his life into a grain of wheat buried deep in the earth. Are we today also clinging to our own sovereignty, our sense of security, and worldly calculations? True dedication is not about loss, but about embedding our brief, finite lives into God's eternal and immortal will.
Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me, through Boden's life, of the sweetness and glory of surrendering sovereignty. Grant me the courage to break free from worldly perspectives, not to build my security on earthly material possessions and peace, but on your unchanging promises. When faced with my own choices and your calling, I ask the Holy Spirit to reign supreme in my heart, giving me the strength to say "no" to myself and "yes" to you. May I today also be willing to lay down my selfish desires, willingly becoming a small grain of wheat, silently offering myself in my life's work, manifesting your love and glory. Amen.