Lent Day 11: Sacrifice vs. Priority

There is a fine line between sacrifice and priority.  Sometimes, that line is so blurry that the two cannot be distinguished.  Both can go hand in hand also; one can have a certain priority that sacrifices something else on the agenda.  For example, my priority today was spending time with my boyfriend and his parents; I sacrificed study time in order to fulfill my priority.  It’s not that often that I am able to come home to North Carolina, so I highly value the time that I do get with them.  Now back to the point . . .

Here’s the question: Is spending time with God a priority, or is it a sacrifice?  For many it is subconsciously considered a sacrifice.  I don’t believe that’s how it should be.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, sacrifice means “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else; something given up or lost.”  Priority is defined as “a preferential rating, especially one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply; something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives.”  (Note: I only used the definitions of these words that were pertinent.  I did not include all definitions.)  The definitions are pretty clear, so why is one so commonly mistaken for the other?  I think the most common error of the definition (at least in my life) is mis-defining what should be a priority as a sacrifice because one’s priorities are “out of whack.”

I am guilty of viewing spending time with God a sacrifice rather than a priority.  This might be the first time I’ve actually admitted that to myself though.  Praying or reading the Bible sometimes happened only in “emergency” situations, times when I absolutely needed God to intervene in a situation.  If I was too busy with school or something else on my damaged priority list, God was placed on the back burner.  If I sat down and spent some time reading the Bible or praying, I was losing time doing other things I thought I needed to be doing.  Many days in my life have passed without talking with God at all.  It’s easy to get caught up in what is going on and make everything else in life a priority because we take for granted the fact that God loves us and is always with us, even if we fail to recognize or thank Him for any of it.

At the beginning of 2013, I made a decision to read the Bible daily.  So far, I have been faithful to that commitment (and plan to continue doing so).  It has become something I look forward to every day.  I have even started multiple devotionals because I find myself wanting more.  I have mentioned in other posts about the frustration of feeling like I can’t spend the amount of time with God that I want.  That’s proof to me that God has switched from being a sacrifice to a priority, and He is quickly climbing the list.

Lent is traditionally viewed as sacrificing something for 40 days before Easter in order to spend more time with God.  I think I sacrificed my messed-up priority list.  I gave it over to God so that He could rearrange it into the priority list it should be . . . with Him sitting at the top.  Once I relinquished my grasp on what I thought I needed to be doing, everything did not immediately get easier.  It took some discipline to stay true to the commitments I made, but learning discipline in the commitments has also translated to discipline in other areas of my life also.  The differences in my wants and needs have become clearer.  The more I allow God to rearrange my life and my priority list, the easier everything is becoming.  I live a life that is much freer than it has been. 

Since starting this blog series, God has become even more of a priority.  The more I continue with this blog and reading the Word daily, the more I yearn for it daily.  I enjoy spending this time with God and watching His Word really come alive in my life.  It’s amazing what God reveals to me when I choose to sit and listen.  It’s gotten to the point now that something feels wrong if I don’t spend time with Him. (Well, that’s because something is wrong when I don’t spend time with Him. Duh, Dana.) 

I know I’ve said this before, but it really is incredible to see Word more alive and God more present in my daily life.  My priorities are aligning with how God wants them to be, and He is seated at the top of the list.  Spending time with God may mean I sacrifice something else during the day, but that’s ok with me.  Nothing could ever be more important than God.  He is the One who gave me life and the One who continuously blessed me and renews my spirit. 

Ask yourself if God is a priority or sacrifice in your life.  You might be surprised (as I was) to find out the answer.

Lent Day 3: It's Not Impossible

“Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me. Pry your mind away from your problems so you can focus your attention on Me.  Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.  When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I and your Shepherd.  The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn’t be afraid of anything.  Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will.  Though this may feel frightening – even dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will.”

- Excerpt from Jesus Calling 

“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.”

- Philippians 1:6 (AMP)

“For no word from God will ever fail.”

- Luke 1:37 (TNIV)

One year ago yesterday, I found out that I had failed two exams in medical school on the same day.  I was quite seriously ready to quit because of the toll that school was taking on me mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes even physically.  I was tired of being tired and feeling like a failure.  It wasn’t worth it to me to constantly stress myself out and not have the results that I wanted.  I thought getting through medical school was nearly impossible. 

That same night in the midst of tears, someone reminded me of Philippians 1:6.  God is the one who began this work in me.  He is the One who called me to medicine as ministry.  He will bring me through and complete what He started. 

That same person also reminded that Plan B is not an option (some of you from WPHC may remember discussing this in Sunday School).  Plan B would be settling for less than what God has planned for my life.  Plan B would mean not choosing to follow Him fully and, therefore, not walking forward into God’s calling.  By choosing Plan B, I would be missing out on some amazing blessings waiting for me. 

After that conversation, I chose to keep pursuing Plan A for my life.  I’m not saying that everything was a piece of cake after that, but my perspective did start changing.  Focusing more on God allowed me to see and hear more clearly from Him.  It is a process, but it does get easier to lean on Him instead of myself.  Yes, I still lose focus sometimes and stress out much more than necessary, but through it all, I know that God is with me.  He has proven Himself time and time again and will continue to do so.  He is always faithful, present, and perfect.  He has also blessed me with an amazing mother, incredible boyfriend, and priceless friends who endlessly encourage me.  I am forever thankful for them. 

It is exam weekend yet again.  Both the first-year and second-year classes have block exams on Monday.  To all of the students: take your stress, your problems, everything to God.  Let Him overflow you with His Peace.  Let Him take control.  He will bring you through.  Don’t allow the fear or anxiety take over you. 

His strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Remember, nothing is impossible with God.