Recently I have been thinking a lot about 'sacrifice' and 'sovereignty'. Two big "S" words. To me, these words go hand-in-hand. Think about 'sovereignty' for a minute. Sovereignty is a big word that is kinda 'churchy' or 'christianese'. The definition of sovereignty is supreme and independent power or authority in government. For all intensive purposes, I am going to equate 'government' to the Kingdom of God. This sovereignty is over the Kingdom of God. This is you and I...those who profess a belief in Jesus Christ. We are the Kingdom of God!
Mark 1:14, 15 reads, "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
We, who have repented and believed, ARE the Kingdom of God. God is our supreme and independent power or authority over us! Read Psalm 139 sometime and get a full, more clear picture of how intimately He is involved in our lives. But for now, how does this 'sovereignty' play out in our everyday lives?
About 3 1/2 years ago, God did a crazy, life changing thing in our lives, meaning my family's life. Scary! He purposefully uprooted our family from all we knew, loved and were comfortable with...and transplanted us in a place 2100+ miles away...almost another country! (Everyone should do a major life change every 20 or so years.) Why did God do this? I believe for redemption, to do a work in our lives and in the lives of others. Now this was not an overnight thing and not without gut-wrenching pain and struggle. It was a work of the Spirit who prompted, led and directed our steps to this place we now call home. God is SOVEREIGN and had a plan and purpose we did not know and may not truly know until we are in glory. Dwight and I heard the Spirit's call and we listened. We followed the call knowing the cost would be great and the amount of loss would be heavy and even hurtful.
This brings me to 'sacrifice'. Another word often heard in the Christian circle. Sacrifice is defined as the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim. When we choose to follow Jesus (or when He chooses us), we immediately learn about sacrifice. We know He is asking us to 'surrender' the prized, most desirable things, objects of affection or stuff which take greater importance than serving and loving God. He will ask us to give up much for Him!
Our family left an extended family unit which bordered on 'utopia'. We are blessed with amazing parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. For over 20 years we had these wonderful people within 20 minutes away. We shared birthdays, holidays, kid's events, heartbreaks/sorrows and experienced everyday life together. Our kids experienced a special, and uncommon gift...grandparents involved in everyday life AND cousins as 'best friends'.
This is where the "Sovereignty and Sacrifice" overlap. God knew before the beginning of time we would make this sacrifice for His call.
Jeremiah 29:11 states, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Our trust in His sovereignty would bless our sacrifice. God has been faithful to bless this sacrifice and we see the fruit of His sovereign call upon us. God has blessed us with a 'family of God', not to replace our family but to extend His family and His Kingdom. Sovereignty and Sacrifice go together. God, through His perfect plan, which unfolds in His time, will ask us to sacrifice for Him. He will call us to give up or painfully give up, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Why am I writing this now? Well, for the last 38 days, my wonderful Mother has been very ill and in the hospital. For 38 days I have missed her, prayed for her, watched my sister and other family members care for her. I have longed to be close to her. Today, I was able to see my wonderful Mother, in the hospital, 2100+ miles away from my family and church family. Today we cried at the reunion which took place. This has been a sacrifice to be so far away, not to help or serve her. And yet, in God's sovereign, infinite timing, grace and goodness, He has allowed me to sit with her, love her and minister to her...even for a few days. To Him be the glory!!
I am so happy you got to be with your mom!
ReplyDelete