Sacrifice

Many Christians stop short of reaching their full potential because they feel they would have to sacrifice too much. They would rather be nominal Christians, attending church, giving offerings and volunteering when possible. If we want quality eternal outcomes from our lives and work, we must be prepared to offer ourselves as living sacrifices – an acceptable act of worship. We must expect some delay in achieving personal ambitions and wishes or lose them altogether so that God’s purposes may be accomplished through our lives.

When we went to work at the hospital God had placed us in, we had to make a major transition from a comfortable urban life to an unfamiliar remote rural life. We had no running water or electricity in our home for 14 years. My wife had to wait for seven years to do her postgraduate studies because there was no one to relieve us. Looking back, we know that this situation was essential for God’s great work to be done and we are grateful that we submitted and stayed on.

Hebrews 11 gives a glorious record of great accomplishments by many heroes of faith. However, it also documents severe hardships, torture and even death. When the first western missionaries arrived in Africa, their average life expectancy was only eight months – they could not handle the climate, diseases or violence, but when they perished in the hostile land, it only spurred more to follow them. The churches, hospitals and schools established by these missionaries were built with sweat and blood. Compared to these, aren’t our difficulties today simply temporary trivial inconveniences – not worth talking about?

Are we afraid of sacrifice? In exchange for Christ’s death on the cross, we should joyfully hand over our lives, our ambitions and earthly pleasures as living sacrifices, willing to act instantly at the Master’s bidding. We should not make too much of our difficulties in this world, lest we become ineffectual self-styled martyrs.

We must let ourselves be used as God’s instruments, going where He sends us and obeying His instructions, knowing that whether we live or die, face difficulties or happiness, we are in the hands of the living God who sacrificed Himself for us.

Lord, help us to exchange present day inconveniences for Your eternal reward. Amen