THE SACRIFICE OF YOU

 

A few posts back I wrote about my belief that we are not here for our salvation alone but for the salvation of the whole human family. Here is a more detailed account of that belief.

Some months ago it was revealed to me that I was a ‘sacrificial lamb’ of sorts for someone in my life some thirty years ago. This someone had derailed me from what I expected to become a picture-perfect life to something that became a total opposite and what I had never expected.

For thirty years, every once in a while, I was reminded that my life was unfair. I had done all the right things and my assessment was that I did not deserve what I got. This revelation, however, taught me something of far more importance than the value of my life. It taught me the unfairness and the value of the Saviour’s life.

Elder Dale G. Renlund spoke of this in his April 2021 General Conference talk, “Infuriating Unfairness”:

“I declare with all my aching heart that Jesus Christ both understands unfairness and has the power to provide a remedy. Nothing compared to the unfairness He endured. It was not fair that He experienced all the pains and afflictions of mankind. It was not fair that He suffered for my sins and mistakes and for yours……He understands perfectly what we are experiencing.

“….all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ overcame the world and ‘absorbed’ all unfairness. If we let Him, Jesus Christ will consecrate the unfairness for our gain. He will not just console us and restore what was lost; He will use the unfairness for our benefit.”

We may well ask how He will use the unfairness for our benefit.  When I look back over my life, I can see that it has afforded me growth and learning that I would never have had if my life was picture perfect. The person I am today is because God asked me to be the ‘sacrificial lamb’ thirty years ago. In gratitude for this sacrifice I testify of what Joseph Smith said on the subject:

“A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation…..those who have this testimony will have faith to lay hold on eternal life, and will be enabled, through faith, to endure unto the end, and receive the crown that is laid up for them…..” (Lecture 6:7, “Lectures on Faith”)

There is no greater sacrifice you can give than the sacrifice of self. There is one man who proved that succinctly and irrefutably……

 

I carried my cross to the foot of Calvary,

While you carried yours to the top.

I cried bitter tears over the injustices of my life,

While you bled valiantly for all that was lost.

I carried my hurts like a badge

So scornfully proud and spiritually poor,

While you rose to the heights of your exalted throne:

Perfected, ennobled and infinitely more.

You are so high

And I am so low;

I consent to climb to Calvary’s top,

I consent to be lifted to Thy throne.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus is Lord by kBrake)