Sacrifice

“And he said to them, ‘This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.’” Mark 14:24

Sacrifice.

It's a word we don't often like to talk about.  It involves giving something up, and not just giving up any ol' thing.  It means giving something we value tremendously.  And not just for any ol' reason.  The purpose, the reason for the sacrifice is equally important.

The older I become the more I recognize the tremendous sacrifices my parents made for me.  They made sacrifices when I was young and throughout my adult life, too.  These weren't always material sacrifices.  The greater sacrifices are the unseen things.  I never even began to consider these sacrifices or acknowledge them until having my own children.

There have been many, many other people who have sacrificed for me.  People I don't even know have sacrificed their time to pray or give other good gifts and blessings to me.  Many kind words said and I do not even know the lips that said them or to whom they were said.  Treasured gifts.  I am forever grateful and in their debt.

Sometimes we want people to acknowledge our sacrifice.  And I'll even go that one further.  In order to be truly grateful we need to acknowledge the sacrifice of others.  Consider the USA.  Many, many men and women have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.  Public servants daily continue in sacrifice so that we may live in safety and freedom.  Often co-workers sacrifice for each other in big ways and small when the challenges of life arise, straightening their crowns and smoothing the path out of love for each other.

Now consider Jesus.  He sacrificed His life so that we could experience real love, real joy, real peace, real freedom here and now, and for all eternity.  

"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13

Goodnight, Runners.