We are called to a life of sacrifice and surrender—a term that is highly overused and highly lacking in action. We are called to give up the things that we desire. When David says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Ps 37:4), I believe this speaks to a change in our heart’s desires. The more we delight in Him, the more He leads us to desire the things of His kingdom as opposed to the things of this world.
No matter what Jesus wanted in His person, His flesh—for we know at one point He asked the Father that the cup of sacrifice would pass from Him—He knew that ultimately the Father’s will must be accomplished. “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). This is the life to which we are called—sacrifice and surrender.
The life of Jesus was a demonstration of so much more than what many choose to see. Many Christians openly embrace His character, striving to be vessels of His love, mercy, compassion, even to work miracles as He did. But how many openly embrace the sacrifice and surrender to the Father’s will that Jesus modeled? We want the fullness of the blessing of God, the fullness of the manifestation of the Spirit in our lives; yet, we don’t surrender or sacrifice to the fullest. We are to be conformed to the image of whole person of Jesus Christ, not just the attributes we deem acceptable or convenient.
Yes Lord, even if I have to live in poverty (for Paul clearly did); even if I have to be socially rejected, and amid the Christian community as well (for Jesus and all the disciples were rejected of the world AND the religious sect); even if I have to be hated and persecuted (for Jesus tells us we will be hated even as He was hated); even if my own children, parents, and siblings cast me aside, I will be obedient to Your word and the leading of Your Spirit. Even if I have to give up the American Dream, my every heart’s desire, I choose to be found worthy to follow You.
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt 10:37-39).
I choose sacrifice of the flesh and surrender to the Father’s will so I will be found a good and faithful servant. I choose the leading of the Spirit through the hardest (and most purifying) trials so I will be found a son of the Most High God. The righteousness, peace, and joy found in such a lifestyle stretch far beyond any temporal pleasure the fulfillment of the desires of this world brings.
Praise You my God! For You are true joy and peace, and in You there is hope forevermore! Hallelujah!
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