The Sacrifice
By Brita Crouse
“But giving thanks is
a sacrifice that truly honors Me.”
Psalm
50:23a (NLT)
“Forgive me,
Father, for not being all here. When Your very name is I AM and You are in the
present and here is where I can love You. Today, when I race ahead - - return
me to all here.” [1]
I find myself doing this all the time. Future-focused, always
planning one step ahead, wanting to move on to the next thing. But, by living
like this, I’m essentially wishing parts of my life away.
This year I have been reading through One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. In this book, Ann explains the
importance of giving thanks to God in order to slow ourselves down, live a
happier life and, most importantly, to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives
on a daily basis. Over the course of a year, Ann made a list of 1,000 things
she was thankful for. This book is her journey through that year.
Reading Ann’s story has encouraged me to look at my own life
differently. So right after I read the above prayer by Ann, I wrote my own
prayer:
“God, I am so guilty of this…Living like this leaves me feeling
rushed, leaves me only future-focused. But to really live, to live my
life for You, I have to be living in the present. I can’t fully
experience life if I am continually wishing precious seconds away…Please help
me to appreciate the moments I have when I have them. I will never have a
second chance at living them…”
Sometimes living in the present and appreciating moments takes
sacrifice. It means slowing down. It means not worrying about the future. It
means seeing God - - even in difficult circumstances. This sacrifice is not
easy; it requires patience and attention to detail. But when we find things to
give thanks for, we have a better view of God’s goodness, love and grace in our
lives.
Maybe you are dealing with a difficult medical diagnosis? Maybe
you are struggling in your marriage or in other relationships? Maybe you just
received exciting news? Maybe you just got that promotion at work? God doesn’t
love us any less or any more through these highs and lows of life. He loves us
perfectly - - all the time. He desires to bless you, so let Him do it.
Otherwise, you could be missing out on something great.
So when you find yourself wishing moments away? Slow down, live
presently, and find time to give thanks.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Be more intentional about
finding things in your daily life to be thankful for. Can you find 1,000 things
over the course of a year?
FURTHER READING:
Brita is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at
the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church
for the past seventeen years.
[1] Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts, (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2011) 65.
