Taking the Hit
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ––Hebrews 12:11
Men hate to defer pleasure; we are creatures of the moment because we are creatures of the flesh. And the flesh knows only one space-time continuum—here, now. Yet if I have a certainty of a future payout, a promise that the cavalry is coming, a definite delivery date of the dream, I can endure a great deal. That’s probably true for you, too.
For God’s dream to be realized in your life, the training is more about endurance than quickness. We are called to endure a great deal and sacrifice experiences, moments, and seasons for a payout that may not come in this life. Why? Because endurance through sacrifice is the character and expression of Jesus.
The pig and the chicken were on their way to breakfast trying to decide what they wanted to eat. The chicken said , “Let’s have some ham and eggs.” The pig said, “Well that’s fine for you, it’s a small donation on your part but it’s a total sacrifice on my part.” The point of that little joke is donation without sacrifice is not significant. When you sign up to bring the plastic cups for the pot luck while your friends are bringing casseroles and ribs, you need to check your motives.
Clergyman and abolitionist Henry Lord Beecher said, “In this world it’s not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.” Or in the words of Paul in his letter to the Hebrews, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (Hebrews 13:14, NLT).
To want Christ means to want to become a man who can sacrifice whatever and whenever. And when we make our peace with that, God’s dream for us makes progress. It may not happen overnight (join the club), but small sacrifices lead to bigger ones, and soon it becomes a lifestyle.
Lord, thank you for the opportunity to sacrifice; I know the blessing will be great.
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https://www.forbes.com/quotes/4269/