THE GIFT OF SACRIFICE

 

I mulled over the principle of sacrifice this Christmas. I am not sure why but perhaps my thoughts were ignited by my daughter who is far from the Gospel path pursuing a life that leaves me confounded. I would easily lay down my life if it would bring her back to God. And so the principle of sacrifice has made me realise an important truth.

 

It has become clear to me that the parental bond is strong within us so that it would motivate us to continuously sacrifice ourselves for our children, but for a very important reason. Basically, we are here on this earth for three reasons: 1. To gain a body; 2. To be tested and; 3. To become like Christ and thus become co-heirs with Him in the kingdom of God. It is this third reason that is in my mind connected to the principle of sacrifice. Self-sacrifice is central to Christ’s character, therefore, it stands to reason that we need to follow this path in order to become like Him. Thus sacrifice is a gift of immense proportions. What the Saviour achieved in His momentous death, we have the opportunity to emulate in the entire course of our lives through our children. The self-sacrifice we invest ourselves in is a similitude of the Saviour’s sacrifice for us. It is significant to note that because of His sacrifice, He has become our spiritually begotten ‘father’…..hence accentuating the parental bond that unites us through the medium of sacrifice. 

 

And here is another important thought: our children more often than not do not recognise or appreciate our sacrifices for them. Often it becomes an act of appreciation when they are adults and parents themselves but even then, not always. This too is a similitude of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Many people don’t appreciate His sacrifice, or they reject it, and even deny it, as atheists do. Some of our children do the same with us,  even defiantly pointing out that they didn’t ‘ask us’ to do so, that it was more or less our parental duty.  The difference in regards to the Saviour’s sacrifice is this: we DID ask Him to sacrifice himself for us long before this earth began. The minute we sustained Him as our Saviour and Redeemer, our sustaining vote became a plea. His birth, his death and everything in between was a sacrifice of an exemplary path to godhood. May we honour the God of our salvation and lay upon the altar our sacrifice alongside His. 

 

Did You count me amongst Your valuable host

As we met in the councils of heaven?

Did I stand strong and ready to defend Your godship;

To smite the enemy,

To secure Your path to my eternity?

Was I brave and willing to carry the cross

Some of the way to Calvary?

Did I weep with You in the garden

And held You as You bore the burdens of mortality?

Did I wipe the sweat of Your brow

As I wept for You and weep even now?

Did I promise to bear Your name

Etched in my mortal heart for all to see?

Am I now worthy to carry Your sacrifice

With me into eternity?

- CATHRNE ALLEN