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"If sinners will...perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. ... If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let no one go there unwarned or unprayed for."
Spurgeon (as quoted in Alcorn's "If God is Good")
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Greetings!
It is Memorial Day weekend, when we remember and honor those who have died in the service of our nation.
So let it be a time that you also remember ANY person who has made ANY sacrifice for you.
Think about soldiers and the spouses, children, parents and siblings of soldiers, who made sacrifices for you and the safety you have. They have faced pain because they believe in the importance of safety and protection and liberty.
Think about those who have dedicated their lives and time and priorities to providing for you: police officers, civil servants, medical personnel, teachers, etc. They have given up free time or other priorities because they believe in your welfare.
Think about your parents and grandparents and siblings and other family who made sacrifices in bringing you up. Did your parents work a second job so that you could have enough food and clothing, or gave up nice things so that you could go to college? Has one of your siblings or spouse or relative given up something important to them so that you could have something important to you?
Has a friend gave up their free night to watch your kids or help you move or be a listener when you were struggling?
Has your pastor given up the nice things in life to dedicate himself to supporting and guiding you through this walk of life?
Has a co-worker or boss made sacrifices for the team?
Has your small group members made sacrifices for each other?
Has the Creator of the Universe made sacrifices for you?
Has He come to earth, taken human form, and taken the punishment for all your imperfections, so that you could spend an eternity with Him?
And have you made sacrifices for Him in return?
Have you passed up immediate satisfaction in too much booze, sex, tobacco, gossip, control, etc., to show that you trust in the boundaries that He has set up?
Have you sacrificed popularity and acceptance and comfort, to be courageous enough to act out your faith at work or school (or church even)?
Have you sacrificed nice things so that your spouse and kids can have nice things?
Has your family sacrificed vacations, so that another family could have food and clothes?
Have you sacrificed your personal time and your desire for acclaim, so that your team could accomplish more?
Have you sacrificed your time and needs so that your small group members could get the time and attention and healing they need?
Are you willing to sacrifice your kidney, bone marrow or even your life for a complete stranger?
Are you willing to sacrifice your personal opinions so that others who are different than you can be blessed somehow, in a real and loving way?
Think about the patience and sacrifice and mercy and grace that God has flooded upon you, and thank Him for it, in a personal and intimate way.
If anyone has made sacrifices for you, or you know they would in a heartbeat, think about that for a minute, and then thank them, specifically and sincerely.
If you have made sacrifices, or are willing to at a moment's notice, take a moment to receive the Godly, healthy praise you deserve. You are living out God's #2 commandment (Mark 12:29-31).
If you have made sacrifices for God and His Kingdom, or are sincerely, passionately willing to if He asks, take a moment to receive the Godly, healthy praise you deserve. You are living out God's #1 commandment (Mark 12:29-31).
If you look inward, are honest with yourself, and find that you have not made the sacrifices asked of you or are not willing to in the future, come to God and be honest with Him about it. I truly believe that all of us at least 'want to want to' deep down. So ask Him to make that a reality.
And when the desire and willingness come, ask Him for the strength and wisdom to carry it out.
Let's let this Memorial Day remind us of the Heavenly Memorial Day that is coming.
Let the hard but beautiful sacrifices of those in the past encourage us and stir us up to make our own hard but beautiful sacrifices now.
Sacrifice something for God (ask Him what He wants; don't assume).
Sacrifice something for your loved ones (look to see what they need).
Sacrifice something for an enemy (look to see what they need).
By doing so, we will bring glory to God, we will impact others and we will seal our own blessings to come. It's a win-win-win situation!
and let me be the first to set the example. If any of you readers need anything (help moving, a listening ear, encouraging guidance, consistent on-my-knees prayer, etc.), ask me. And I will lean on God to give me the desire, strength and wisdom to do so. I mean that. Call me out on it!
with true love and fervent passion,
shannon
703.899.7442
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