Have we gotten lax in our way of thinking?

I’m seriously asking.

Have we gotten lazy, stagnant, content with fill in the blank?

Do we truly know the meaning of sacrifice anymore? Or is it just a nice word we say to make us feel better about ourselves when we feel like we went a little further than the person next to us?

But is that really a sacrifice if we compare ourselves to one another and see we stepped out and served an extra hour more than Mr. Jones. Or I gave $10 more than Mrs. Smith.

I wonder if at the end of our lives and we stand before God and we regale of all our accomplishments that we performed in His name, if He’s going to say “Well done?”

Or is He going to look at us and say, “No, you did them in your name and in your merit. You never asked for help and strength from Me.”

I often wonder, “How much is enough?”

Where is the line to show God that I truly depend on Him? Where is the bar I need to reach to show Him my devotion? Where is the mark in knowing I did enough?

I know works do not save us. We can never earn God’s love. His love is unconditional. His love is limitless. His love is unending.

But my love and sacrifice is. Sadly I have a line drawn that I will not cross if it causes too much time, energy, money, or effort.

Sadly, there are times when I feel selfish and want to hold back and let someone pick up the slack. But should I?

Is it Biblical to stand back and let others serve when I am capable? Is it Biblical to not give until it hurts? Is it Biblical to not feel the need to cry out to God for help everyday just to meet my daily needs?

I sometimes wonder if the faith of someone in a third world country is purer than mine. Because they know the feeling of complete dependence. They pray for God’s provision as I pray for thanksgiving.

Is there a difference from God’s eye?

When a contrite heart is something God will not despise. What about an unbroken heart? What about a self sustaining heart? What about a plentiful heart? What about a blessed heart? Will God not despise that?

I’m not sure I will ever get an answer. But something in my gut tells me that if I’m questioning, then there’s room to sacrifice a little more.

If I can fall asleep in comfort when I know someone beyond my walls is not as fortunate, should my heart compel me to sacrifice a little more? Shouldn’t my ultimate comfort be in the One who gives comfort than in the comfort of my own making?

I’ve been told that if I don’t pray to the Holy Spirit daily for comfort then my day should have been counted as wasted. A wasted day of not turning to the One who will always meet my needs.

Sadly, I don’t pray for comfort that often.

May we all look at ourself and see where the line of true sacrifice is drawn. Sadly, I’m not sure if I’ll actually see it on my lavish beach of always having what I need. I may need to step out and walk further away from my lemonade and shaded beach chair.

Peace