Taking the Hit
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. 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 have. 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. Henry Lord Beecher said, “It’s not what we take up, it’s what we give up that makes us rich” and in the words of Albert E. Brumley, “This world is not my home I’m just a passin’ through, If heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do. “
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. Any attempt to blend the dreams of earth with the dream of God in Christ will force you into losing yardage for the Kingdom and you’ll be struggling to kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.
Lord, thank you for the opportunity to sacrifice, I know the blessing will be great.