When Did it Change?
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
Sometimes in our ministry or even walk with God, we tend to forget that we are a sacrifice and our calling comes with sacrifice.
When God called us, in the beginning, it was exciting. You feel the call and are ready to give up everything. It doesn’t feel like sacrifice. We were thankful to be used by God.
Have you ever prayed something along the lines of: God, whatever you want me to do, no matter the cost or sacrifice I’ll do it. God, I just want to be used by you more than anything.
Personal Story:
When we were going to move into a camper to travel full time, we were strapped financially and weren’t sure how everything would work out (been there? God always makes a way for His plans). I remember this little, old, rusty camper that was in my husband’s grandparent’s field. I’m not sure that it would ever even make it from the field to the road. Dramatic, possibly, but unlikely. We were so eager to do what God was calling us to do. I remember my husband and I standing in that field looking at the camper contemplating how we could make it work. It didn’t matter the condition, it didn’t matter the sacrifice, our hearts were crying out, “here we are God”. We were willing, because we wanted to do the will of God and what He called us to do so much.
Then somewhere along the way it becomes our “normal” everyday life. The weight of sacrifice becomes heavier.
What once didn’t feel like sacrifice at all, begins to feel like you cannot do it for one more moment.
When did it change?
I once worshiped with eagerness.
I once followed God without hesitation.
I once served others with everything within me.
Maybe it’s hurt, maybe it’s lost in the motions of life, or maybe it’s a mindset change over time.
Something changed from the first encounter with God when giving of your time wasn’t really a thought; to struggling to attend midweek Bible study or even pray.
Something changed from the beginning of ministry when you would serve others and God without anything in return.
I know Jesus Christ has not changed, so something inside of me has.
Have I lost my sacrifice of praise?
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
When I get my mind set back in the right place.
He made the ultimate sacrifice for me, for my sins, so I will deny myself and I will follow Him.
When I realize this is my sacrifice for Him, everything changes.
I go from surviving to working with purpose. I go from entitlement to being humbled. I’m honored to be the one God chose for this. I stop looking at the blessings of others, waiting and desiring for my turn, and I will gladly give up anything for my King. I get back to my first place of surrender. It’s my desire to please Him. It’s my purpose to accomplish. I will pursue the calling.
There might be times that I feel weary, but when it’s something for the Kingdom, something inside of me has to keep going.
I’ve got to keep going, keep sowing, keep my heart right, and serve with all I have.
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
What am I presenting to God? It’s my worship, my reasonable service.
Is my sacrifice going to be holy or filled with murmuring and complaining?
Am I going to be made holy through this?
Personal Story:
The other day I was talking to a lady that was staying at the same RV park as us. One of those “get to know you” conversations. In this conversation, I learn she serves in ministry at her church. When she finds out about the ministry work that we do she says, “I’ve been around that and I know it’s a sacrifice.” There have been times that I have looked at the things we have had to deny and follow where God has led us in different ways. There are times when the sacrifice seemed great, more than I could bear. There have been times that I am so thankful to be where He has us. All about my mindset. I can look at it with bitterness, anger, or resentment OR I can present it to my King. It’s what I get to present for Him.
We can forget that we are a living sacrifice. Ministry is a sacrifice. We look forward to things getting better. We look forward to escaping the struggle. We are longing for the time the season shifts. All while we forget, I am a sacrifice. This calling is a sacrifice.
Go back the moment it changed, offer a sacrifice of praise, giving thanks to His Name.
If you feel like you have gotten lost over time, offer a sacrifice of praise.
Present yourself completely, a living sacrifice.
[bodies- definition - the body (as a sound whole)]
Deny yourself, walk with Him, and go where he leads.
Watch everything change.
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