If Sacrifice was Easy, it would be Called Something Else

Posted by Jenn Jones on May 16, 2014

Sacrifice. Noah Webster defined it as ‘to devote with loss’. To devote something means to give something completely. You give something up completely knowing that it will cause you loss, but ultimately it will benefit someone else.

Early Christians sacrificed their lives rather than denounce their faith. Our Founders were willing to sacrifice their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Why did they all do this? Because they knew it would benefit someone else.

The sacrifice of early Christians proved a faith in God that no one could destroy – and it paved the way for the rest of us.

The sacrifice the Founders were willing to make created the framework for our republic.

Sacrifice. It isn’t painless, nor is it easy or desirable to do because it usually causes us pain, or death or in the very least, some discomfort. But it is done to help someone else whether it is a friend, family member or someone we don’t even know – perhaps a future generation. It means giving up something that is important to us for the benefit of someone else.

It means putting others before ourselves.

Nobody wants to sacrifice something. Nobody wants to give up something that is important to them. But I really don’t think people today truly understand what real sacrifice is. How can we? We live in a world where looking out for number one (ourselves) is the utmost priority. We don’t know what it means to put it all on the line for someone else – because we don’t like to be uncomfortable or be at risk.

There have been so many before us who understood what true sacrifice was. They were willing to do it because they realized the great sacrifice Christ made for all mankind. He set the ultimate example. If we are called to sacrifice our time, our money, our luxuries, or whatever else is called for in order to benefit those who are in need or to secure blessings for future generations – then who are we to say no? Who are we to say ‘I don’t want to let go’? Sacrifice cannot be avoided because it is inconvenient. It wasn’t meant to be convenient! It can’t be avoided because it is hard. It was never intended to be easy! Look at the way Jesus sacrificed himself for us! It was the most barbaric, excruciating way to die. Why should we expect the sacrifices of today to be easy?

We have to step outside of ourselves and realize it isn’t about us. We are to love others as ourselves. And in order to do that it means putting others before us, knowing that if we do – God will provide for us. We needn’t worry about going without or being short on time or whatever it is that we are being called to give up.

It’s time to stop being selfish. There is too much of that in today’s world.