Sacrifice
Most of us are familiar with the adage, “we all must
make sacrifices.” What are some of the
sacrifices that most of us make? We may
spend more time at our jobs than we do at home; spend more time with our
friends than we do with our families or on our relationships with our
children. And, for many of us who speak
Spanish, “ocupado mas con los visios que en los cosas de Dios (material wants/
vices other than the things of God; sacrificing the most important and valued of
all relationships. When you think about
it, many of us will sacrifice our own dignity to get ahead.
My mother and I are spending two weeks visiting with
my aunt, my mother’s sister. Being able
to go to church this morning was truly a blessing which inspires my blog for
today. The message today, which is a
topic series, “Contending for the Faith,” is based on the Book of Jude of only
25 verses. The pastor shared with the
congregation four points listed in verse 16 of Jude, which in my words are the following:
1] we live among grumblers, 2] we live among complainers, 3] we live among
those who boast loudly and, 4] we live with those who show favoritism to gain
the advantage for themselves. Oh, the
sacrifices we make just to please ourselves, or get ahead, or to make a name
for ourselves and gain a lot of followers and supporters. And at times, we may grumble and complain
about having to sacrifice our own needs, having a selfish attitude. Do you see it?
Sunday school followed looking at The Tabernacle, a
double blessing for me today. The session’s
focus is based on the Book of Exodus chapters 27 and 30 yes, the altar and
sacrifices. Here is what I learned about
the sacrifices Israel was to follow at the altar in the Tabernacle. 1] the shedding of blood of unblemished,
unmarked animals as an offering for sin.
Life is in the blood, blood was not to be eaten but poured out and, not
ALL animals were offered as an offering for a sin offering. 2] Adam and Eve were clothed by the shedding
of blood of an animal. 3] No one can
shed their blood for another as an offering for sin, we are all blemished,
marked born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam and Eve. 3]
Jesus, identified as the “Lamb of God” without sin who knew know sin -2
Cor 2:21 was the perfect sacrifice offered to redeem us. And 4] knowing that those who believe and accept
Jesus Christ as their Savior (Redeemer) are to offer themselves as a living
sacrifice and not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:1-2).
Back to the reason for being inspired to write my blog today, I wrote a song based on Romans 12:1-2 called A Living Sacrifice. Are you a living sacrifice? Only you can answer this question. Be honest! Click on the Link to hear the song on YouTube.
I think I've been led to contact you and ultimately read this. In the line of work I am in I've always questioned why am I here to do this work. When you hired me 2 years ago as a health educator I was on a different path. The pandemic saved my life in a way because had I not gotten sick from HIV complications I wouldn't have understood my purpose later on. I was just getting (physically) better when we met via email, but that was just the beginning. Over the next two years I went through different stages of rehabilitation. The medication I was on helped me restore my physical health, but I had to be restored mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. WhenI started teaching sex education for the youth I really started to understand why I had to go through those stages. I am the example...I am the living sacrifice! If God got me through it then I can be a living testimony for the youth by sharing my experience and walk with God during the toughest times of my life. I felt I was led to Camba and that God used you as a vessel to pull me in. I appreciate you so much for this because I am finally finding my purpose and LIVING ON PURPOSE! I just need you to know how much that has changed my life and how much of an influence you were (even when I didn't say it in the moment. I am very grateful! I will continue to look out for your messages. Take care and God Bless!
ReplyDeleteTylaan; Good to hear from you. You have really touched my heart. You were always on my mind and hoped we would keep in touch. Keep me posted. Check in with Michelle or Cheryl for my contact information. Hoping all is going well for you and the other Health Educators, youth need to be safe.
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