One-minute read.
Sacrifice expresses love, which requires community. If we don’t have someone to love, we do not need to sacrifice. Jesus came to Earth in human form as an act of love for His Father’s creation. The Almighty gave us free will, the choice to accept His presence in our lives or reject it. Without choice, we can’t love. Christ chose to become one of us so that He could teach us unconditional love, setting an example that led to the cross and the ultimate sacrifice: laying down His life for ours.
At the time of this writing, a horrific flash flooding disaster in Texas fills the headlines. Rapidly rising waters in the middle of the night caused destruction along the Guadalupe River as a 20 ft wall of water flowed downstream on the Fourth of July. Amidst the tragic loss of life, stories of heroism began to surface as people sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others. Love motivates us to action, and no greater love occurs than when someone lays down their life for another.
Daily life typically doesn’t require the ultimate sacrifice that people made in Texas. But to love others well, we must learn to sacrifice our needs for theirs. Finding ways to serve our neighbors helps us fulfill the Great Commandment and leaves the world in a better state than we found it. Love God and others sacrificially and experience the joy that comes from other-centered living.
Journal Question:
How has someone sacrificially loved you?
Random Act of Kindness:
How can you sacrificially love someone today?
