“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
In reflecting on the concept of sacrifice, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be more to it than I initially understood. As we recently journeyed through the Christmas season a few months back, it seemed like sacrifices were abundant – from buying gifts to altering our diets in the pursuit of health goals. But amidst these sacrifices, I couldn’t help but wonder if my definition of sacrifice truly aligned with God’s expectations.
Consider this: have you heard the tale of the chicken and the pig? It goes like this: A chicken and a pig pondered how they could aid the hungry in their community. The chicken proposed providing bacon and eggs for breakfast. But the pig pointed out a flaw in this plan. He said, “Your sacrifice only requires a contribution, but my sacrifice would demand total commitment.”
The analogy struck a chord. It highlighted the disparity between mere contribution and true commitment in the act of sacrifice. The chicken could contribute eggs without sacrificing its life, while the pig’s sacrifice of bacon required its very life.
God calls us to sacrificial living – not merely offering token contributions but committing our entire selves to Him. In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This isn’t just a one-time act, but a continual surrender of our lives to God’s will.
As you navigate the journey of faith, reflect on your approach to sacrifice. Are you offering God mere contributions, or are you committing your whole being to Him? Strive to emulate the pig’s total commitment in your service to God, knowing that true sacrifice leads to a life of deeper intimacy and purpose in Him.