The Power Of Sacrifice
To put others in front of ourselves is to put God in front of everything. – Craig D. Lounsbrough
Jesus is risen! “Happy Easter” folks (Since that seems to be the most appropriate greeting these days). This Easter is quite special because the whole world is basically on lock-down. None of us pictured this situation we’ve found ourselves in. I’m sure we would never have imagined spending Easter indoors; egg hunting within the four corners of our homes, worshiping online and not hopping from one house to the other to eat and drink. I know some people do not celebrate Easter, although it baffles me, I respect their standpoint.
What does Easter mean to you? To me, the accurate word that sums it all up is Sacrifice. Sacrifice is “the act of giving up something that is valuable in order to help another person” – for the greater good. What’s the most valuable thing to you? Some people might say cars, houses, jewelry, family, career, time etc. but the truth is – your life is the most valuable thing you have. If you’re not alive, you can’t enjoy the material things you believe are so valuable to you. Since we’ve established how extremely valuable life is, how many of us would give up our lives so someone else can live? But that’s exactly what Jesus did. He gave Himself up, suffered, was beaten, and killed so we could live. And then He resurrected! Only Jesus can do this. It takes a very special being to go through hell and undeserved suffering to carry our burdens…to save us. That is how deep and wide His love is.
Even if we cannot make the ultimate sacrifice like Jesus did, we can make “little” sacrifices that may benefit someone else. There is a special kind of joy you experience when you put the needs of others above yours. Everyone tends to sacrifice a little at some point in time – the firefighters who respond to emergency calls, doctors who try their best to save lives as much as possible, etc. The world would be a better place if we all have a heart of sacrifice like Jesus. In friendships, at work, in marriage, even as a parent, ask yourself, “what can I give?”, and not “what can I receive?”. The truth is the more you are willing to give, the more you will receive. It’s just the circle of life.
We all have the freedom to make a choice. We get to determine what we consider valuable to us, and whether we’re willing to let it go for someone else. We must stop thinking the world revolves around us. Instead, we should focus on what others lack and see how we can make someone’s life a little bit better without expecting anything in return. I can assure you that you will feel happier, and though it might feel like you’re losing something precious, you will be gaining something far more valuable – points in God’s kingdom. I say this because each time you decide to put someone else’s needs before yours, you’re putting God first. God is in each and everyone of us. God is love, and sacrifice is love.
Easter is not just a time to celebrate, it is a time to reflect on how we can make sacrifices in our own little ways. Step out of your circle and take a step towards making the world slightly better than it is.
Xo.