I recently had a doctor’s appointment on a day which I wasn’t in my best mood. She asked me how I was doing and I went on a rampage about tired, busy, and frustrated I was. We got on the topic of how difficult it is for me to say no to church activities and responsibilities. She responded with empathy and a rebuke “But God doesn’t want a burnt sacrifice he wants a living sacrifice.” 

Back in the Old Testament God would ask for a sacrifice without blemish, and had to meet other specific requirements. Then they would eventually be burned on the altar. In the New Testament we are introduced to the concept of a living sacrifice.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” Romans 12:1 AMP

Clutching the non-pearls around my neck.It was like God himself yoked me up! Frazzled my only response was “Holy and acceptable. “

Many of us pride ourselves in being “martyrs” burning ourselves at the stake for the sake of servitude of others. Don’t get me wrong God calls us to take up our crosses and follow him because the Christian journey has suffering attached to it (that’s another discussion).Many of us though we want to serve are serving from a place of resentment, pride,guilt, need for acceptance and sometimes sheer exhaustion.

“Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.”2 Corinthians 9:7-8 AMP

Based on this scripture God is not asking us to pour from empty places or under duress. He wants you to want to but from a place of abundance of Him. He wants to be the source of our giving and service. He wants to partner with us to do the good work. I think he will honor our yes when our hearts are in it and likewise our no.“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”Philippians 2:13 NLT

But when we stop relying on our own strength to do good and giving God our hearts to purify even our intentions we leave room for us to tap into the abundance of 2 Cor.9:7-8 which is there to equip us to do every good work once we are doing it with a cheerful aka willing heart. I believe there would be no lack of energy or time. God is not asking us to be burnt up lifeless sacrifices on the altar. Dead sacrifices can do nothing.But living sacrifices are connected to a life source. Their sufficiency doesn’t come from them. In him they live breathe and have their being. In him,living sacrifices can love, teach, serve, and worship. Because “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”Philippians 4:13 NLT

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Romans 12:1 msg

One more gem from the doctor was: my complaint about being easily frustrated was also a byproduct of not taking care of my temple. She said you noticed you haven’t been sleeping or eating well and you’re talking about being irritated about everything and how low your tolerance level is.Sometimes we minimize the importance of stewarding our bodies. This gave the enemy an easy entry point. He could use the smallest thing like a swarm of flies (yes, this happened) to get me to complain and question my existence.

So this convinced me to get on my Zoom!! I said I can’t give the enemy these easy shots! I decided to start work later to give me time to exercise, work on my nutrition, still working on the sleep schedule but we will get there in Jesus name.

I just stopped by to tell you God is not a slave master.He is willing and able to supply all we need and more to complete the work he has called us to and when we get weak and tired, he said 

“But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.”2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT

Prayer 

Our High Priest! We come to you humbly admitting that we weren’t always cheerful givers of our service or gifts. Lord we admit that our hearts are willing but our flesh is weak. We thank you that you were the perfect sacrifice not only for our sins but also an example of a living sacrifice. You daily surrendered your life to the Father and fully dependent on him. So we ask that you help us to surrender our hearts fully. Help us to invite you into those broken places. So that we don’t serve with wrong intentions. Fill any need of acceptance or love. Release us from guilt and loneliness. Father I ask that you help us not to lean on our own understanding and to acknowledge in all our ways especially in service to others. May our yes be yes and our no be no. Help us to know and feel at peace that you honor both of them. Help us to discern when something  honors you and not our flesh. Help us to tap into the abundance you have for us to do good deeds. Give us the desire and power to do what pleases you. Help us to steward our temples in a way that honors how you created us uniquely and in a way that would make us more capable to do your work. Help us to cultivate an atmosphere in our lives that allows you to work best and be glorified. May our lives be holy and acceptable unto you. Amen!