[an overview of the raw musings of my heart]
Let’s start with Romans 12:1 –
“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.”
Paul offers us a beautiful challenge. His imagery of complete and utter submission before the living God is incredible. We are human. He is God. He is worthy of it all, so we give it all.
Our lives are not our own.
I have loved this verse. I have sought to worship the Lord through the giving of my life. I have proclaimed over and over again—“My life is Yours. Lead me as You will.” And so, I have journeyed upon an unconventional path—a narrow road. I have given much. And, it has been beautiful.
Yet, there has been a massive problem. Recently, a hidden piece of my heart has been revealed and looking at it makes me shrink back, cringing at its ugliness. The truth shines in glaring contrast to what has been living inside of me.
A sacrifice does not have a voice in the method of the sacrifice.
We do not choose how. We do not choose when. We do not choose where. We do not choose how long. We do not choose who.
This is pure, complete, and utter submission. I am used as He sees fit. And, this has been hard for me to swallow, because of the pain that it can bring. But, who has deemed pain harmful?
Not God!
Scripture proclaims over and over again—pain is a grace.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” [1 Peter 1:6-7]
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…” [Romans 5:3-5a]
Philippians 1:29. 1 Peter 4:16. Romans 8:17. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
So, what do we do?
What do we do when all seems dark? When we want to curl up in bed and not leave it because our hearts hurt so much? When tears stream down our face as we look up at the heavens? When no end is in sight? When we have confusion and not clarity? When we are emptied? When we, like Paul, are“…being poured out like a drink offering…” for someone else’s faith? [Phil 2:17] When we are sacrificed?
We give thanks.
“But even if I am being poured like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” [Philippians 2:17-18]
We give thanks for we have been counted worthy. We give thanks for we are in complete submission. We give thanks for we are being refined. We give thanks for we are giving Jesus Christ praise, glory, and honor.
We give thanks for being a sacrifice.
