Sacrifices That We Make

The Sacrifices We Make

How many of us can relate to the “love of our life” in light of the fact that momma warned us would be a mistake that would reveal itself way down the road. The “old folk” use to say “you’ve made your bed, now lie in it!” What about that dress or pair of shoes we just had to have even though we knew it would short us on the rent! We’ve burnt bridges, only to realize that the issue that brought it about wasn’t that serious! Not serious enough to lose a friend!

A mother sets aside her own ambitions in order to be available for the rearing of her children. A wife places her dreams on hold in order that she be able to support her mate in obtaining his goals. We’ve made conscious decisions to stay in jobs that we hate so that we can have a roof over our heads. What about that husband who knows that baby number two isn’t his but he’s willing to forego his own pride that he might keep his family intact.

What motivates sacrifice? Some level of love. I’ve heard it since I was old enough to remember “for God so loved this world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish but shall have everlasting life!”

Love motivates us beyond the cost of the sacrifice! I’ve come to realize this as I am on the brink of ending one decade and beginning another! Sometimes I use to wonder why I would just cry – wasn’t anybody bothering me. I’ve come to the revelation that I’ve made many sacrifices in my life – some good, some bad. I’m learning that I didn’t give myself time to honor the cost of some sacrifices because I felt the need to do something. After all, there is no time to cry when your husband is not able to provide groceries and I had a toddler to feed. It’s a time of action – where do I go? Who can help me? How much do I need? Too much for a toddler to handle – it was my responsibility to keep him safe, fed, and covered.

Sacrifices, we’ve all made them – when we arrive at momentuous moments of our lives is when we begin to tally up the cost. What does a heroin addict do when they have finally escaped the fog of its captor to realize that it has stolen their youth, finances, and resources? The couple who have stayed together for decades to only wake up each morning only to hope that they would wake up with someone different in their bed! What about the athlete who has stolen moments of victory hiding the secret of their usage of steroids to only be exposed!

Sacrifices, what is my price, what is your price. How much will we endure, how much will we give up? It simply comes down to how much do we want it! If we were to sit and listen to someone, we would quickly get an understanding of sacrifices given.

For this to be an integral part of living, why haven’t we spent more time preparing others for the journey of sacrifice? Hopefully, enabling the next sojourners the ability to count up the costs before embarking on foolish endeavors that will only scar the soul.

Have you ever heard a dutiful, faithful and loving wife exclaim “I’ve given you the best years of my life!” after finding out that her husband has been unfaithful. The sacrifice of time is one that is not easily remedied. The wife looks in the mirror and realizes that the once youthful face has been painted with vague wrinkles, a reminder of the passing of time. She is no longer the size 6 she was 20 years ago.  Stretch marks outlined portions of her thighs and abdomen, a testament to her three children.

All, reminders of the sacrifices that had been witnessed by time.  Sacrifices now rewarded by her husband's unfaithfulness.  She decides to forgive, hoping to redeem the sacrifices made over time.

Sacrifices often leaves scars. The Father's sacrifice was His only begotten Son who bore the scars of His cruxifiction. Whenever, we think of His nail scarred hands, His thorn-pressed brow, or His nailed feet, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice.

Fleshly decision and desires will scar the spiritual soul as our flesh wars against the spirit. We must remember to daily submit our will to the Holy Spirit. Tthe sacrifices we make are a costly investment in performing His will in the earth. 

Love is a great motivator for sacrifice, we see this in the Father's supreme sacrifice of His Son.