“The way of the cross is the way of becoming fully human.” — Eugene Peterson
“Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” — Jesus, Matthew 16:25
In my last newsletter, I wrote about the lifestyle of daily dying 1,000 tiny deaths.
I pretty much define a “tiny death” as any moment in the course of your day where you surrender control, comfort, or preference out of love for God and others.
No matter what your life looks like, you are faced with countless moments on a daily basis to practice small, often unseen acts of self-denial in service of others.
We are continuously presented with opportunities to give our time, energy, resources, etc to bless those around us — no matter how inconvenient or painful it may be for us.
A tiny death costs you something — and eventually returns to you as blessing (in this life or the next).
Today, I want to share with you 1) the joy 2) the prize 3) and the result of dying 1,000 tiny deaths everyday.
1) the JOY of dying a tiny death
“For the joy set before him, he endured the cross…” — Hebrews 12:2
We typically have to learn the long, hard way that joy and comfort are not the same thing.
Let’s have quick moment of transparency here: which one do you typically want more?
I’ll tell ya — my default is to auto-drift to comfort, almost in every moment of my day.
Comfort is ease, pleasure, convenience based on our circumstances (for the most part). Joy is the fruit that’s produced from walking with God’s Spirit through anything and everything that’s thrown your way.
Jesus didn’t endure the cross because it was easy. He endured it because He knew joy would come from it.
And somehow, mysteriously, the same is true for us — especially in the minuscule, mostly forgettable moments of our daily lives.
Every little time I do the dishes or take the trash out without making a scene. (Yes, this is real for me.)
Every little time I listen instead of defend.
Every little time I slow down my plans because a child needs me.
Every little time I go the extra mile for a coworker who may not see all the hidden effort.
As Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” — John 15:11
Every tiny moment of obedience.
Every hidden sequence of sacrifice.
Every millisecond of your pursuit of abiding.
Laying our lives down for others. That’s where joy is produced.
“The great paradox of Christianity is that we find life not by clinging, but by releasing.” — Henri Nouwen
Where in your life right now is joy waiting on the other side of surrender?
2) the PRIZE of dying a tiny death
“Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” — Matthew 16:25
We’ve all been sold the lie: protect your comfort, and you’ll be happy.
But Jesus flips the script: Give your life away, and you’ll actually find it.
This promise from the Savior himself is not a “someday” thing. It is a right now, in this present minute truth.
I think about how many times: I could have chosen silence instead of sarcasm I could have given time I didn’t think I had. I could have released my need for recognition and just willingly, eagerly served.
I know now that every time, a deeper prize was ready to reveal itself.
Every tiny death you choose this week IS storing up for you something eternal. Not one moment wasted.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” — Jim Elliot
What prize could Jesus be offering you through the very thing you don’t want to give up?
3) the RESULT of dying a tiny death
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone…” — John 12:24
And this is where it all comes full circle.
Not only is there joy now…
Not only is there reward along the way…
There is fruit that comes later.
And I’m not just talking about your own personal growth. I’m talking about other people’s growth.
Tiny deaths change our kids.
They change our marriages.
They change our teams and workplaces.
They change our life now and legacy later.
Because when we die to ourselves, others get to experience life.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20
Who might flourish tomorrow because of a small death you choose today?
Your life won’t be measured by what you kept, conserved, or clung onto — but by what you gave away in love and presence.
A Presence Prayer:
“Jesus, give me joy in the moments and places that feel like a tiny death.
Let me not just endure sacrifice, but embrace it as the path to life.
Let every tiny death lead to fruit — in me and in those I love.
Help me believe that when I die to myself, You bring resurrection life.”
By the way:
Sorry for the delay since my last newsletter. I was traveling to some of our other camps in a different part of the country. What a joy to serve and lead and do my best to bring creative solutions to the people I work with.
If you’re deep into a long season of serving and leading in any capacity — take a moment to strip all your tasks and admin and worries away, come up to a 50,000ft view of your ministry (family, workplace, nonprofit, whatever), and consider deeply the one thing you’re doing it all for.
For me the last couple weeks, I’ve been thinking about the conversation a camp counselor has with one of their campers. I’m thinking about how life-transforming those convos are. All the organizational changes and big decisions and back-to-back meetings and emails and things I stress about seem silly — and also worth it. Keep going. Keep pressing in. Stay present.
Love to you all.
Taylor Jervis
Tyler, Texas
July 16, 2025
PS - if this was in any way valuable to you, will you:
1) reply and let me know?
2) forward it to a friend who would be encouraged?