Sacrifice: How much is too much?
In light of some recent events, I have come to realize that sacrifices are always a part of life. No matter what the situation, be it a relationship, a goal, or something else, we humans are always giving things up. Sacrifice is a part of life.
But as I continue down this winding path of life (that seems to have veered in a new and different direction), I've started to contemplate what new sacrifices must be made in order to follow this new path. I have to think about what type of sacrifices I am willing to make in order to do what I need to do.
People are faced with choices about sacrifices all the time. Should I choose my career over a partner? Should I give up something I want to do in order to be with my child? Should my spouse's career come first since mine is "less important" for various reasons?
I am starting to realize that I have the will power to give up many things that I never thought I could. Things (and people) that I hold very dear to me may have to be sacrificed in order to follow my life's path. It hurts so very much. And I wish that these decisions didn't have to be made. But life is never easy, and sacrifice is part of life. I know that some sacrifices are too large for me to make, and others, although large as well, have to be done because without them my life can not continue.
Sacrifice is never easy; Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for us. I know that as a Christian I must take up my own cross in order to follow God's will. Intellectually I know that this is what I must do, but my heart cries out, wishing that there was some other way. I can only hope and pray that what I end up sacrificing is what I'm supposed to give up.
In light of some recent events, I have come to realize that sacrifices are always a part of life. No matter what the situation, be it a relationship, a goal, or something else, we humans are always giving things up. Sacrifice is a part of life.
But as I continue down this winding path of life (that seems to have veered in a new and different direction), I've started to contemplate what new sacrifices must be made in order to follow this new path. I have to think about what type of sacrifices I am willing to make in order to do what I need to do.
People are faced with choices about sacrifices all the time. Should I choose my career over a partner? Should I give up something I want to do in order to be with my child? Should my spouse's career come first since mine is "less important" for various reasons?
I am starting to realize that I have the will power to give up many things that I never thought I could. Things (and people) that I hold very dear to me may have to be sacrificed in order to follow my life's path. It hurts so very much. And I wish that these decisions didn't have to be made. But life is never easy, and sacrifice is part of life. I know that some sacrifices are too large for me to make, and others, although large as well, have to be done because without them my life can not continue.
Sacrifice is never easy; Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for us. I know that as a Christian I must take up my own cross in order to follow God's will. Intellectually I know that this is what I must do, but my heart cries out, wishing that there was some other way. I can only hope and pray that what I end up sacrificing is what I'm supposed to give up.
posted by Living Life With Exclamation Points! at
11:06 PM
2 Comments:
Sacrifices are in their own way God's way of reminding us what matters, and because of that, it seems they appear at any random point. It's like going to sleep thinking one way, and waking up the next morning realizing major changes have to happen. Sure, I'd like to have it more scripted, like the life in graduate school is, where on 15 August we have XYZ, and on 16 August we have ABC, but the reality is it doesn't work that way. It's the mysterious and yet wonderous exception to all rules of what many call the typical way of life. Whatever happens from these sacrifices is what God wants to happen, in his plan, and we have to accept that as it is. Good luck with everything that comes with the changes ahead, and I'm sure all will work out. It always does, even when I believe it won't either.
By
Anonymous, at August 16, 2006 at 1:23 AM
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple." -Luke 14:26
Now, obviously Jesus is not telling us to HATE our families, but in comparison to our love for Him, our relationships might look like that. We are to 'take up our cross daily,' and if in so doing we make sacrifices, so be it.
Right now, I'm struggling with the notion that as Christians, we are to love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. At the same time, I feel called to be a Marine Corp Chaplain. Reconciling these two has become very difficult for me. The pacifist in me cries out that no one should ever be killed, and yet am I truely called to be a member of the Armed Forces, even though I wouldn't be a combatant.
I hope everything else is going well for you. Drop me a line sometime if you're ever in the Boston area...we'll do lunch.
Marlow
By
Anonymous, at August 27, 2006 at 9:51 PM
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