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As I moved through morning farm chores a word was put on my heart, sacrifice. My typical thought would be to think of the sacrifice of Jesus for sinners like me. But this word was a different version of sacrifice, personal sacrifice, MY sacrifice.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 24-27 NIV
It is easier to go the extra mile with a full tank of gasoline. But what about when you are running on fumes, overwhelmed, and out of sorts?
To carry the burden of others as our own and to sit in uncomfortable feelings and times instead of checking out with the temptation of the world requires sacrifice, the sacrifice Paul described in 1 Corinthians 24-27. Personal sacrifice, MY sacrifice.
Confession time: I love to get lost on my phone especially when I’m weary or burdened. As a homeschooling, farm-running momma of two young children who also teaches part-time online and serves in ministry there are seldom enough hours in the day to get it all done. Yet, I can waste irreplaceable hours searching and scrolling on my cellphone. My vice, the Internet laps up hours from my day like a kitten with a full bowl of milk. I might start with good intentions, to edit a devotional or check on the hours of operation for some business I intend to visit but before I know it, I am lost “the Information Superhighway” has wrapped its tentacles around my neck and I am lulled into a trance. I might be “multitasking” getting chores done or dinner on the table but I am not present at the moment and that’s a shame. Forgive me Father.
I am not a stranger to addiction; I understand the power of idol worship firsthand. The attack of the enemy distracts us from our potential as the hours and days tick by.
I return to the word etched on my heart this day, sacrifice. Am I willing to pay the price to live my life as designed? To stay present at the moment no matter what? To bind myself to Christ alone, and break the chains of a fallen world? Lord help me, Lord hear my prayers.
Your sacrifice at this moment might look different than mine. I need to separate myself from the serpent in my phone, maybe you need to pick up the phone and reach out to an estranged loved one, a prodigal child, or a friend in need.
Will you ask the Lord what sacrifice you can make to make more room for Him in your life?
Christ overcame death so that we might overcome life. Whatever the struggle; addiction, depression, relational issues He overcame it all, and won. The ending has been written the victory is His. Thank you, Jesus!
Will you bind yourself this day to Christ alone? He can and will break all the chains of this fallen world! As for me, on this day I choose to serve my King and put down my cell phone.