Word Wednesday: Sacrifice

Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.  Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Genesis 22:9-10

We as men are called upon to sacrifice in this life to varying degrees in differing circumstances.  Some give their lives for country, community, or a cause but for the most part we will never reach that level of self-sacrifice.  So what should our daily lives look like?

"  Daddy, come read my Bible Reader with me, " I heard my seven year old, Weston, say.  Usually that is a warm welcome to spend time with my son and the Lord in His Word, but that day I was comfortably piled up in my chair trying to recover from a cold.  I wanted nothing more than to sit there and do nothing, but his eager and expectant little face was beckoning me to read.  Against my bodies protests I got up and read with Weston, though I must admit it was not a huge sacrifice since it was something enjoyable and worthwhile.  If I routinely refused to give of myself, however, I would be sacrificing my family upon the altar of selfish convenience.

 What have you given up? What have you not given up?

1. That extra rung on the career ladder that may have cost time with the family.
2. Those extra man-toys many of us desire
3. Our own time apart from everything
4. That favorite television show or sports program

I am not advocating an unbalanced life where all we ever do is give ( which is not likely anyway ) but a lifestyle of self-sacrifice that includes loving others as ourselves especially in our homes.  Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son at God's command, but to often we are unwilling to sacrifice anything for anyone.

Father, help us to be living sacrifices to you and for your glory and to love those around us sacrificially.  Help us to realize the impact we as husbands and fathers have on the lives of those around us.  We know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Amen.