Hello All (however many "all" are that might catch this).
I just returned from 10 days in Africa, Nigeria to be more specific. I travelled through several States and cities, visited many villages and collected stories from those who had survived the violence of January, March and April 2010. As I attempt to slip back into life here in the U.S. I find the transition difficult. I was struck so strongly by so many different things, things which I didn't think could get any deeper since I had already been there last year.
Boy oh boy was I wrong.
I had no idea just how many levels there are nor how deep I could/need to go. This year, one of the prevailing things htat I discovered was a need for S A C R I F I C E. Here in the States, at least regarding my experience of growng up in New York State, that word has become something akin to a "dirty word".
As a Christian, it should be part of my regular vocabulary, ingrained in my belief system and part and parcel to the way I live out my life as a Christian. Shamefully, it has not always been that way and it most often is no where near what it could be. I get inward focused, drawn into my own worries about bills, labels, titles, the next gadget, finding time for 'me' and all the rest.
No, these are not necessarily bad things. In the correct perspective, they are fine and dandy to have as part of my life. Only, when in perspective, though.
Following Christ's example, he was willing to sacrifice not only his life, but his family, friends, dignity, safety, Glory, and personal will in order to do the work that the Father had given him to do. In the garden, prior to Judas showing up with the temple guards, Jesus is found praying: "if it is possible, let this cup pass from my lips, but not my will but your will be done, father." Jesus' will was not to go through the suffering, yet he sacrificed his will, effectively nailing it to the will of His Father, in order to fulfill what he had come to fulfill. Did he look forward to the torment? I doubt it. Could he see the glory on the otherside? The bible tells us he did and that is what he focused on in order to make it through the trial and crucifixion. Do not, however, lose sight of the fact that Jesus had asked to not have to drink from that cup if there were some other way to accomplish this.
This is the example that has been laid down for us to follow. This idea of taking my own will and laying it down for the will of My Father. In modern terms, I have come to refer to this as laying aside my "wants". Sometimes, that means also to lay aside my "needs" in order that another's needs may be met instead. Sometimes simple things like taking far less food in order to ensure that others have their fill first. Other times, it is going without sleep in order to spend time sitting with someone who needs some attention, needs to tell their story, to know they have been heard.
Yet, more to be done. Would that we would become a culture prone to sacrifice. When we are willing to sacrifice, we give glory to God and honor Him when we do so in His name. This was the honor and glory that Jesus allowed himself to be crowned with for a time. We, as Christians, must be willing to do the same. Lay down our personal crowns and take up the crowns given to us for the time in order to allow God to receive the glory. Only then will we learning to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Only then will we become guilty of being followers of Christ not only in word but in deed. I pray that there come a day when I have enough witnesses in order to in a court of law be convicted of being a Christian.
more to come in the future
