As overseas workers, we’ve all felt the sting of missed birthdays, weddings, and funerals. We feel the daily challenge of sacrificing our little comforts to live where we do. We’ve laid dreams, plans, resources, relationships, and more on the altar in obedience to God. 

I’ve recognized that often I can fluctuate between wearing these sacrifices as a badge of honor, and trying to use them as a gambling chip with God. There are times when I carry an attitude of “I’ve sacrificed all I have, I’ve done what I can for God so now I know He’s pleased.” This leads me into the danger of thinking I have nothing left to offer and I start to spiritually coast. Other times, when I feel the pain of disappointment, my heart cries, “But God, I’ve given You so much! Why aren’t you doing Your part?” The offense and resentment I hold against God makes me shut down and hold tight to what I have.

These wrong attitudes in regard to sacrifice come from a skewed perception of God. We can never sacrifice enough to please God or to make Him owe us something. He gave us all He had to give and He is worthy to receive back everything we have. Even if we’ve moved across the world, left behind loved ones, gave up the dream job, gave away all we have to the poor, there’s still more that is due Him. 

However, the good news is, God doesn’t define us by our level sacrifice, so we shouldn’t either. Read that again. God is looking for our love above all. If we are continually fueled and motivated by love, our sacrifice will flow without burning out. We will be able to commemorate and mourn our sacrifices while still yearning to lay down more for Christ and for the lost. 

The test of our commitment to God shouldn’t be how much we’ve sacrificed, but instead why we’ve sacrificed. Was it for love? And if it was, have we lost sight of that love?