Monday, September 6, 2010

“I Never Made A Sacrifice"


"For my own part, I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office. People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. . . . Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.
 (What David Livingstone said to the Cambridge students about his “leaving” the benefits of England.)
I use to hate to read when I was in school, probably because the books where boring, and it was hard because of learning issues that we weren’t really aware of.
Now, I LOVE to read, and my favorite literary loves are biographies!  I was reminded of one of my best-loved - A CHANCE TO DIE, The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael, by Elisabeth Elliot.  
These last few months have again shown me that the only Rock that I want to build on is Jesus.
Here is a quote taken from A Chance To Die;
“God had promised to supply all needs.  On that word, not on the sands of self-confidence, she built her house.  Given the forces that battered her frailty she would have scorned any attempt to find an explanation for her strength apart from the foundation on which it rested - a Rock that never budged.”  
As I awaken to this new day, new week, new month, I realize that I must confess to the LORD any attempts to stand on my own strength, to boast in my abilities, or to feel in any way that I have suffered.  If I have suffered, it is because I have had my eyes on “me” instead of on Him.  I am seeing that I was building on the sands of Pride and I am grateful for the storms that have come along to tear it down.  In my heart, I repent, and I want to “Seek the LORD and His strength; seeking His presence continually.” (Ps. 104:4). 
I want to be able to say that I never made a sacrifice, but I DID LIVE for Him!


(Thank you ALL for your encouragement and loving words over the last week....they mean so much to me!!!)

16 comments:

  1. Yes, He will always equip those He calls. This is true in every walk of life from adoption to homeschooling to serving in ministry. It truly is Christ in us that is at work accomplishing His will. I think you're a wonderful example of self-less sacrifice, but it's precious that you don't consider giving up your time, energy, money, etc. to homeschool your sweet children as a sacrifice.

    Celee

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  2. Oh, my goodness, Shonni...I pop in on your blog every now & again, & this post is a wonderful challenge to me. And I absolutely love that picture!

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  3. this is a wonderful post and that picture is precious!

    Thank you so much for your prayers - they mean so much to me! :)

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  4. LOVE IT!
    and look at her POPPY DIP!! love that too :)
    YES - I make size 7 long sleeve :) I'll have a Christmas sale as well as a FALL sale in the next few weeks :)
    blessings to you! sallee

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  5. I'm not typically a teary person but that picture did it. Along with a smile for the jeans with a hole in the knee and where is the rest of him? Loving you and all those wonderful kidlets, that's where. Thanks for these heartfelt words this past week. You are right, knowing Him AND relying on His strength is the only way. I needed to be reminded.

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  6. Oh my word. That is probably one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen. And I think my favorite part is the smile on your face.

    Priceless.

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  7. Yes, you are right. And I don't believe we will ever look back and regret living for Him. I am sure I will regret a lot, but nothing done in and for the Lord is in vain.

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  8. LOVE THAT PICTURE!!! No better way to remember what is more important than that!

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  9. Beautiful picture Shonni. What a blessing to be loved by so many little ones.

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  10. Wow! That pic is a keeper for sure!

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  11. Thank you Shonni..... the last paragraph was so profound, so powerful, so true, and oh, so humbling.
    Oh, how He shines through you, beautiful daughter of God.
    Love,
    Daleea

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  12. Thank you for this post. God used it to drive home a point He's been trying to get through to me for awhile now. That picture has the power of 100 sermons!

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  13. Hello from WAGI -
    I'm trying to collect some photos that capture the spirit of adoption for an upcoming post on www.wearegraftedin.com. Do you have any that capture it for you? If you do, please email it/them to me. Thank you!
    Kelly@wearegraftedin.com

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