THE SACRIFICE OF CONVENIENCE!

THE SACRIFICE OF CONVENIENCE!

Luke 1:35-38

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

           When Mary said “let it be done to me according to what you have said,” she laid herself upon God’s altar in total abandon to His will. There would be a lifetime of inconvenience and heartache. The sacrifice of personal comfort, ease and preferences was her gift to God. When she submitted the transaction was done and the angel departed. His job was finished. Hers was just beginning.

           We do not mean to pout, to be childish and selfish, but we are a pampered people. We have inserted into our belief system that God exists to enhance our comfort and ease. When He demands that we abandon that comfort for His purpose we recoil and resist. We resent God’s demands upon our time. We resent His constant interruption of our plans.

           So many players were involved in the first Christmas pageant and each player was called upon to make sacrifices. Each player, willingly or unwillingly, suffered some privation. We cannot expect less from this Christmas time. If I am to be a servant of God then I should expect some inconvenience.

           The Apostle Peter lamented that he had given up much to serve and to follow. Jesus answered with a rebuke and with a promise.

Luke 18:28-30

28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Dear Lord, let me endure the sacrifice of my convenience with grace and let me count my blessings. AMEN