For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25
“Sacrifice is at the heart of Christian faith. The people of God in Old Testament times offered animals for their sins — lambs, goats, bulls, and pigeons. Jesus offered Himself as a perfect, final sacrifice so taht the animal sacrifices would not have to be repeated.
Sacrifice, surrender, and suffering are not popular topics nowadays. Our culture makes us believe that we can have it all, that we should demand our rights, that with the right technology all pain an problems can be overcome. This is not attitude toward sacrifice.
I know that it is impossible to relieve the world’s suffering unless God’s people are willing to surrender to God, to make sacrifices, and to suffer along with the poor… What is an acceptable sacrifice? One that is good for the people of God. One that is made on behalf of the world.”
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 47-48.
In shifting to Mother Teresa for the next few days, I am struck by the paradox of sacrifice. We actually don’t lose when we do it. We gain. We only lose when we fail to do it.
Think about it. Sacrifice opens the pathway to life and shows us our purpose on this earth. It’s not to have 2.5 kids, a house with a fence, and a dog (though we love our dog, Grace).
The world says that purpose and joy is found in getting things, having experiences, and amassing power or wealth. Those things are all very appealing, don’t get me wrong.
But because Christ accomplished our once for all sacrifice on the cross, we have everything we need in Him. So, our sacrifices are not losses but doorways for gain.
They open the way for us to participate in bringing love and justice to the world. Today is Giving Tuesday. What would it look like to make a sacrificial gift today. Join me in supporting GTP by clicking here.
Looking ahead, as we prepare for Advent, also remember this. When we lose our lives for Christ’s sake, when we sacrifice, we actually take hold of what the Christ of Christmas desires for us.
And we serve as radically generous conduits of blessing like Mother Teresa.