March 30, 2009

Joy Through Sacrifice

Earlier today I considered how there is much joy that comes as a result of personal sacrifice.  One instance would be how much of a joy I consider the opportunity to stay home and raise our children.  Even in college, where students are trained in specific vocations, I briefly mused over the idea and blessing of keeping a home.  I understand how pursuing a career really leaves many women dissatisfied and empty (and with a big school debt).  Why? Because that investment is not in people.  It is in people where our legacy endures.  And the joy comes from embracing our God-given role as women.  We were created to be helpers, mothers, nurturers and teachers.  There is great freedom within the realm of our divine task.  The joy in it comes from knowing that we are living in obedience to Christ, modeling the incredible relationship between Him and His Bride.

But how does this joy come?  Through sacrifice.  Many would consider that I had to sacrifice my dream of becoming a professional musician to remain home.  On the contrary, I would have been enslaved to rigid practice schedules, insurmountable competition, threats of insufficient funds for the arts, and persistent back, neck and shoulder pain.  How is it possible that I can stay home?  Jeramy and I sacrifice daily in order to do so.  We do not live luxuriously so that (1.) I can stay home and (2.) we can look forward to the purchase of our own home.  But it's so counter-cultural; so completely opposed to the desires of our flesh that always seek instant gratification.  But in sacrifice we obtain our greatest joy in Christ.  Our joy comes in the practice of our sacrifice, in watching our children grow, and our joy will be even greater when we see the fruits of it years later, to the glory of God.

But what about Christ?  Scripture says that as we consider all the great examples of faithful followers who have gone before us that now we fix "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)  Christ sacrificed Himself, taking on the full wrath of God, because of the joy that would come afterward, sitting triumphantly at the right hand of God, "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:21)  When we give gifts, we sacrifice time, money and mind-power for the joy of giving and watching that person receive it with love and gratitude.

So . . . sacrifice now, wait patiently and joyfully receive the end results - the reward of seeing more clearly the glories of God in our sanctification.

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