"This is no sacrifice-here's my life!"

So many times, I am surprised by the way that God comes. It is usually through seemingly simple avenues the He speaks to me. It's ironic, because most often the circumstances surrounding God's work would be completely meaningless to anyone but me. Which clearly illustrates the fact that God knows each one of us intimately-He not only grasps the complexities and variations of each individual's personality, He knows every swirl and brush stroke that comprises the very fiber of our being. He "knit" us together in our mother's womb. So many times I've read past that verse and thought-"oh how nice, God was involved in my creation-hmm cool," but if you meditate on that one word (knit), you begin to realize the immensity of the phrase. Knitting can't compare to an effortless work, such as breathing, that is controlled by our autonomous system. Knitting is an intricate art form, where the artisan must take care with each stitch and row, not to add or drop a single stitch. It's almost as if I can see God knitting me together and stopping to think about how He wants to form even one component of my being:


"Hmm, let's see here, let's look at Lysandra Elena- she will be administratively inclined, enjoy baking chocolate chip cookies, and love to gaze at my creation. She will seek Me out, though it be hard, but I will be her strength when she begins to despair. I will call her to a radically different way of life-To listen to & obey My voice, at any cost, because of the love that has been shed abroad in her heart by the work of the Holy Spirit."

And thus begins the story of how God used a girl, with all of her faults and imperfections, to glorify Himself. The title of this post is from a song entitled "No Sacrifice" by Jason Upton. What God has been searing into my heart is the truth that your level of commitment is directly correlated to your amount of sacrifice. In other words, if you are unwilling to sacrifice comfort for serving Christ, you are falling into mediocrity. I know-it stings a little, doesn't it? But at the same time, I see that specific truth at work in my own life.

How many times have I watched TV, facebooked, or just stayed in bed when I was called t0 get up, be still, and spend relaxed time with my Savior?? Too many. And through what God is calling me to now, I can see that He is so faithful. I have been praying about something that could be a very positive experience in many ways. Yet, when I honestly asked God His will, He said "No." Simple and to the point. Now, I have a choice; I can either seize this opportunity, and for me it would be sin, because I would be disobeying what God has commanded me. Or, I can sacrifice this opportunity, knowing full well that the promises God has given me will come to pass in His perfect timing, and the opportunities to come will far outweigh this present one I'm choosing to give up. I believe without a doubt that the reward for obeying, be it eternal or finite, will surpass any sorrow of heart in this present circumstance.

In closing, this is my earnest desire and intercession for you:

Colossians 1:9-14 (New King James Version)

Preeminence of Christ

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood,^[a] the forgiveness of sins.

Footnotes:

1. Colossians 1:14 NU-Text and M-Text omit through His blood.

My God richly bless you, and may you see His hand at work in your life!!

Love,

Lysandra Elena