A God-Altared Life

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1(NIV)

As I stared at the bags of children’s clothes in the hall I heard His voice say, “Give them to Stacey.” I begin to challenge the Voice and give my justifications for why His suggestion was ludicrous. “I have my own children to clothe Lord. I sell these clothes, to make money to buy new clothes for my children.  The clothes in these bags can make a lot of money.” Once again, I heard the Voice repeat the command, “Give them to Stacey.”

With all my heart I wish I could say I promptly and joyfully obeyed. Sorry to disappoint you.

The bags sat at the end of the hall for several days. I thought by leaving them alone, the Voice would go away or I would feel better about disobeying. The Voice became louder and my spirit could not allow me to give into direct disobedience. I called Stacey and arranged to take the clothes to her.

This is now a regular practice for me. I buy the clothes and take care of them during the time my children use them. As the clothes are outgrown, I fill the bag for Stacey’s children.

I had always considered myself a giving person. I took food to the sick, bought Christmas gifts for the needy, and our family has an adopted daughter in a third world country. I thought that was good enough. A real sacrifice has a cost. The cost may be time, money, or possessions. If it doesn’t cost us anything, is it really a sacrifice.

I used to read the word sacrifice in today’s verse and think of dead animals lying on altar in the desert of the Old Testament. Now when I read this verse the picture is different, I am the sacrifice. My life is the sacrifice, a living sacrifice. Living a God-altared life is our act of worship. The view from the altar is Heavenly.