Sacrifice is not something we enjoy doing much. The word itself brings all sorts of negative connotations from an Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom sacrifice to giving up a lollypop because we are on a diet. I believe that when we give our lives over to Jesus, we are given another choice, “How far are you willing to go in this with me?” I believe Jesus asks each one of us that question. We have the option of staying in our comfortable lives, plugging Jesus in where it is convenient to us, or maybe even only where it is beneficial to us. It is sort of a Jesus-what-can-you-get-for-me-today type of attitude. I think that attitude is destroying Christianity in America. It is seen as a wise investment, or a prudent social choice to be labeled as a Christian. But how often do we give our very lives up to Jesus? This is something I have been learning throughout this year.
As we are approaching the final part of the World Race, what comes next is looming on the horizon. So what was this year to me? Was is a fun little year when I got to see lots of cool places? Or did it have a far greater impact? I can not go back to the US unchanged. I have learned that following Jesus requires sacrifice. Am I willing to give up a comfortable life? A secure future? Even a family? Jesus says that if you do not hate your mother, brother, and sister you cannot follow me. What! What does that mean? I don’t hate my parents or my brother. But I have got to be willing to give up the idea that I will be able to see them frequently, or ever. I have to be willing to give up even good things such as family, or a wife, or any of these things that are important to me, for Jesus. His call to be His disciple is so bold that it requires everything to follow Him. It is not just a pretty little thing I do on Sundays.
In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” That is a daring statement. And what happened to Paul? He was imprisoned, he was beaten, he was shipwrecked, he went hungry and was often barely surviving. All for the sake of Christ! How often are we willing to go to those kind of lengths? How often am I? I believe that this year is just the beginning for me. This has been just the beginning of abandoning my life for the sake of the Kingdom. But I know there is still more that I am holding on to. Am I willing to give it all up for Him? I want to say yes, but I am still fighting with all that that means. I am scared of all that it means for me in my life, but it is truly the only thing that I desperately want.
