“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
They warned us. People told us over and again. We saw our friends and family gasp when we told them for the first time. Do you realize..? How will you…? Are you sure you are ready to…?
Sacrifice.
A word that has been given more and more meaning as this race continues. I am in month 4 of this life-altering journey. Three of the four months have been spent in Asian countries. I left sanitation, entitlement, independence, comfort (and more) on American soil. I brush my teeth with bottled water and have to eat foods that have the striking resemblance to that of their still living relatives. And this food more often than not shares the same smell as that of a dog’s vomit. I no longer think about what I want to do and how it affects me, but now include at least 5 other people’s opinions and needs into the equation. I can’t just have an “off day” or take some time to myself. I cannot hop into my car to get away or run to the store if I need something. I rely on others to get places and can’t ever make plans without consulting five other people. I can’t simply say “no thank you” when someone offers me, oh say-fish balls- but must accept it with a smile on my face. And I must finish it. All of it. I’ve learned that not everyone has as tough skin as I do and it is not up to me to change them, but to love them.
Some things, like sleeping on the floor and using squatty potties, I expected to experience and knew would be on the sacrifice list. But others I have added to the list as I go. The Lord is definitely teaching me that sacrifices come in all shapes and sizes. The World Race doesn’t mean just sacrificing eleven months of your life to go around the world. It doesn’t just mean raising $15,000 in support. It isn’t just saying goodbye to friends, family, and life as you know it. No, these were sacrifices I knew going into this thing. But they don’t tell you about the fine print…
With sacrifice comes giving. I want to be a giving person. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Finances have never been something I’ve had a lot of and the Lord has been teaching me to rely on His provision since I can remember. I am a rather frugal person and try to be very responsible with my money. Confession: I bargain shop and clip coupons. I cannot wait for the Sunday paper so I can rip open the Red Plum and Penny Saver for the week’s deals and coupons. I hold tightly to my money. I will eat PB&J for days on end if it means saving money. Before odd food, poor sleeping arrangements, leaving family, and packing my life into a backpack, it would be the raising thousands of dollars that would keep me from ever committing to this kind of missions experience. The other things I could try and push through, but the money? I’d really have to rely on the Lord for that one.
Over the past 4 months God has changed my outlook on giving. I don’t just give what is expected or stick to a ten percent rule. He is showing me to give because He asks that of us and He promises over and over that He will care for us and that when we give, we will be given more. And giving always involves sacrifice.
Two weeks ago, I met a man called Pastor Yesudason. Here is a man that lives each day, each moment, on the Lord’s provision. He is a pastor of an Indian church in Kuala Krai, Malaysia and his only income comes from the tithes of the ten, maybe fifteen, people who attend the church. But before he takes any of the money for himself, he pays for the room they rent to hold services in, he pays for dinner to be served after each service so his members can have a meal, he pays for petrol in his van to make house visits and teach village children English and mathematics. He pays for all this on top of other expenses involved in running a ministry. So basically this man doesn’t actually get paid at all. And yet he is the most giving person I’ve ever met. He told me the other day that he finally got to sleep around 1 am after working on things for the church, but at 3:30 am the Lord woke him up and told him to pray and he did. He continued praying until we left for our ministry at 8 that morning. He never had a bad attitude and never stopped smiling. He not only gives money, but gives himself fully to the work of the Lord. Physically, emotionally, spiritually. So I might be giving up 11 months, but he has given his life. And I want to live that kind of life. The kind of life that doesn’t pre-plan or get anxious about where the money is going to come from, but trusts in the Lord fully for His provision. The kind of life that so freely gives to other people without second guessing. The kind of life that trusts that when I am called to give it is up to God how that money is used and not me. The kind of life that really believes with every fiber of my being that what I pour out, God will refill, whether that is time, energy, money, or emotions. He will restore. He is Jehovah Jireh, the provider.
“If I open up my hands will you fill them again? If I give it all to you will you make something new?” -If I Give It All, Will Reagan and United Pursuit
