Kate said Sacrifice
The first and foremost thought when I saw the word prompt was…
Jesus’ redemptive work on Calvary.
The Sacrifice of all sacrifices, amen?
Do I sacrifice?
Probably not very often, if I am honest with myself and you. Do any of us…really?
Most of us live in the land of abundance and freedom. If we need a loaf of bread, we go to the supermarket.
First World Problems
We are blessed to live here in America. Most of us don’t have to decide each day, do I eat or do I feed my children?
Third World Sacrifice
In 1999, I traveled with a mission team to the (then) closed country of Cuba. We stayed on the beautiful peninsula of Veradera – a tourism paradise for Europeans and Canadians – it was stunningly lovely in every way. Yet, each morning of our ten day stay, we would board a bus and go out into the countryside to minister to the Church that was there. We would visit the homes of church leaders and members. They would always feed us a banquet table of food. THAT meal was a sacrifice from their monthly grocery ration.
Eat what is before you
We were told by our mission team leader, “To eat whatever is set before you because the meal has cost them everything.”
We did as we were told – we broke bread out of their sacrifice.
I will never forget that as long as I live.
In all honesty, what have we sacrificed lately?
For God so loved the world that He gave [sacrificed] His one and only Son. So whoever believed Him and in Him would have eternal life. John 3.16
Yes, we don’t sacrifice too much do we Sustra.
Not much.
Great questions, thank you for asking. Sometimes we get way too comfortable in our lives. Blessings to you!
Don’t we though? Thanks for visiting Mari-Anna.
There is still much left to lose
here on cancer’s altar,
and it’s up to me to choose
to go on, or to falter.
The path ahead takes all my strength,
and some will ask me, why
should I go on at painful length,
and instead, lie down and die?
The answer’s that it’s not for me,
but those who read my words
and follow to the victory
I hope I lead them towards,
for each bloody step is gain, not loss
walked in the Shadow of the Cross.
“…walked in the shadow of the cross.” How grateful I am you’ll be on the other side and we’ll all sit down and have a cuppa and sing a few songs!!! ♥
Yes!
We had an early errand this morning…before I could post. So, in the car, I mentioned the prompt to my husband (who is not a writer or even much of a ponderer) 🙂 But his first thoughts were much like yours… “what have we sacrificed today? “what are we willing to sacrifice today?” Powerful – those first thoughts after the prompt!
It is certainly one to ponder.
Breaking bread together…what a cool gift to be a part of us. And Jesus the sacrifice of all sacrifices indeed.
OF ALL. Love Him so.
Of course, you wrap it up with John 3:16! xoxo
Of course I do. Because 3.16 kinda wraps it all up. AMEN?
Amen. Coming late to the reading, but pondering the beauty of your question, “What do I sacrifice?” It makes me think of Amy Carmichael’s words “See in it a chance to die,” and I know I have so much to change in my perspective on what I lay down at Christ’s feet. Thank you for these words today, dear Susan!
Bettie, will we ever?
Sure makes you think! We tend to be in too much of a “comfort zone.”
Yes we are Mer’.
I have traveled to places where people truly sacrifice. There were times in my distant past that I was so poor financially that I had to sacrifice (meaning it was of necessity……….not out of necessarily any sense of willingness). Good words today as always, Susan, and I thank you.
Kathy, I remember sacrificing as a single mom with 3 kiddos.
Amen. He made the ultimate sacrifice. We have so much here, we think it’s a sacrifice if the store doesn’t have our favorite ice cream. I’ve never been outside the US, but friends who have tell me it’s an eye-opening experience.
Barb, only the one time — to Cuba, but it taught me a lot.
Convicted anew about giving sacrificially. And realizing that any sacrifice I make is *so very small* in light of the sacrifice made for me.
Good words, friend.
How can we practice this sacrificial giving? It’s hard but…