At Solomon’s dedication of the 1st Temple in Jerusalem, they sacrificed “so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded.” Can you imagine the sounds, the smells, and the confusion getting that many animals in one place?
There is a much more substantial sacrifice in Scripture. We have the Cross. Can you imagine the taunts, curses and screams coming from the crowd and also from the depths of hell? Displayed before all is the spectacle of our Savior nailed, naked & bloody, between two thieves.
SACRIFICE CAN BE OUT OF ONE’S COMFORT LEVEL
Offering oneself as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God is not viewed by the world as a glorious thing. It can seem chaotic, exhausting, embarrassing, confusing, and out of one’s comfort level.
Once I taught a class at a church and it was the first time I ever taught this particular subject. I felt awkward; well out of my comfort level. I kept asking God why He laid it on my heart for two years to teach on this subject. You can tell by the 2-year remark that I am sometimes not the fastest one to obey God’s voice.
TAKING THE SACRIFICIAL PLUNGE
However, I took the plunge. I researched, came up with a class description, advertised, consulted with others, and did everything I knew to prepare. The rest was entirely up to God’s doing. The first session was a little rocky. I was nervous. The second session went a little better. However, God had yet to answer one main prayer. Every time I teach, I ask that God to begin drawing friendship connections between the students. I could not see this happening in this particular group.
SHOWING UP IS SACRIFICE
The third session almost didn’t happen. I received quite a few texts from people who could not attend. As I was driving to GCC I conversed with God: “I’m going to show up and it might be a really short time I’m out of the house because I don’t think anyone is coming.” I obeyed and showed up. The miracle is that this session, the floodgates opened. People who I had not even thought of showed up for class. The answered prayer was that afterwards a few of the individuals stayed over an hour getting to not only know each other better, but also to encourage each other.
HIS GOOD AND PERFECT WILL
If I had gone along with my parameters of what the class would look like, who would be attending, how they would interact with each other, that class never would have arrived at that glorious session. God had to renew my mind regarding the class. I had to let Him run it according to His good and perfect will. That’s the point of Romans 12:1-2.
ALLOWING GOD TO DO HIS BEST
So, what is holding you back? Are you afraid of being embarrassed? Confused? Getting out of your comfort zone? Are you arguing with God about offering “your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God”? Remember, this sacrifice is what makes God happiest, for this is your true and proper worship. Not until we offer God everything do we allow Him to do His best.