Sacrifice For Love
One of the definitions of sacrifice is the destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.
Destruction.
Surrender.
For the sake of something else.
Whoa. That feels a lot more intense than me giving up chocolate during the Lent season.
Imagine this with me:
At this moment, picture God looking us straight in the face. Eye to eye.
He's gazing at us with love that melts our hearts.
He peers into our eyes, looking into our very souls, and says, "LET IT GO."
UGH.
We nod and avert His eyes.
We know He's right; we've known for a while that this thing that holds us back is no longer serving us.
We can't be that version of ourselves and also thrive in the glorious purpose God has for us.
Yet, we are afraid to release what we have clung to for so long.
He gently lifts our faces, and our eyes lock with His again as he whispers,
"Do it for me."
Double UGH.
We don't want to sacrifice anything. We want all the goodness God can give while we still cling to all our desires, habits, and sassiness.
But God knows us all too well, doesn't He?
He doesn't want perfection, but this one thing He wants out.
He isn't asking us to set it aside for 30 days, counting down until our precious can return.
He wants it destroyed. For good.
Our knees begin to shake. How on earth can we do this?
"Surrender it to me," God whispers to us. "I love you, and I have something else for you that is far better, trust me."
Ok, we can do this. We love Him enough to let this go.
We imagine placing this desire in our hands, clenching it with a kung fu grip.
Slowly, we release it and surrender it to him. As He takes it from us, it turns to ash and dust.
It is destroyed.
Whoa.
God beams with pride and hugs us tightly.
We feel liberated and invigorated and begin to get excited as we wonder what this "something else" is that He has planned for us.
All I know is it's gonna be awesome.
Just you wait and see.
God loves you, and so do I!
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.