A JOYFUL SACRIFICE
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” Philippians 2:17, ESV
Theme: Acknowledging that sacrifice comes at a cost, the believer sees beyond the temporary pain and is able to rejoice.
ON A CHURCH STAFF
At one conference our Cove staff attended years ago, the speaker told us that being on a church staff was like trying to get a drink out of a fire hydrant. It never stops; it never trickles in; there are always weekly services plus yearly big events. There are critical care emergencies, funerals, deaths, and the more mundane, daily work to keep the plates spinning—in other words, the background duties.
For a time, when The Cove Church was half the size the Mooresville Campus building is today, and before any satellite campuses had been started, there were five services per weekend. Our bands, Cove Kids teams, hospitality teams, and of course our pastors started the weekend at 1 p.m. on Saturday with 5:00 and 7:00 pm services. On Sundays, we had 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. services, went home for a short rest, and returned for a 5:00 p.m. service. From about 2007 to 2009, every weekend was a marathon. Many of us joined gyms, started running, or did anything we could to build the stamina we needed to not only survive but serve with excellence each long weekend.
THERE IS A COST AND A BLESSING
Many a Sunday night, I remember walking in the door, practically falling into bed. I always drove Mike home as he seemed almost comatose. Mondays felt like we had the flu or a hangover. But there was a sense of “joyful sacrifice” exactly as our verse today describes: pouring oneself out like a drink offering to the Lord. There was no more strength, no more words, no more energy to do anything else, but it felt as if we had laid it all on the altar and done our very best. We felt the Lord’s pleasure with our service.
IN YOUR LIFE
Maybe you cannot imagine being church staff. Maybe you wish you had the opportunity to be in full-time ministry. But you already have a life, a calling, and a ministry! There are seasons and stresses in your life as well. There are times when you must give so much more than 100 percent! When you care for a sick child, when you serve All Out with a Cove team, and when family and career both need more than you have to give, you can trust God. He can give you the strength, patience, or wisdom you need. He can empower and make your sacrifice feel joyful, if done to honor Him. And when you sense His pleasure, it will sustain and satisfy you.
Make It Personal: There is something that God is, has, or will ask of you that will cost you everything. It may be that you have to trust Him with your ailing family member. It may be that you trust Him with your finances, even though it is clear from your budget or checkbook balance that it is not logical. It may be to offer your week of paid vacation to volunteer–and exhaust yourself–with the Cove Students at Vertical Element camp. I don’t know how you will lay it all on the altar to God, but I bet you already know. If not, willingly offer yourself and ask God to show you His purpose and plan. He will be delighted to show you, empower you, fill you with joy, and reveal His pleasure.
Pray: Lord, thank You that You use me in Your plan. Help me to willingly give You my all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Listen: “Take My Life” by Reawaken Hymns
Weekly Memory Verse: “But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10, NLT