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February 03, 2022

Lord, Not My House Too

February 03, 2022 by HEIDI J. SMITH SACRIFICE Identity in Christ Contentment Comparison
Lord, Not My House Too
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Romans 12:1

"We should sell our house," my husband said matter-of-factly, as he checked items off of our deputation to-do list. 


"Oh, no. I want to rent it," I pleaded. "Haven't we got rid of enough of our stuff?" 


"Let's pray about it. It might be a distraction as we serve in Africa," my husband cautioned. 


I nodded, but my mind screamed, No! Lord, I'm moving halfway around the world, leaving my family, and selling my things. Surely, you will let me keep my house. Haven't I sacrificed enough? 


That week, during our family devotions, we read about Elisha's call to ministry. Elisha obeyed, but he first slaughtered the oxen (I Kings 19:21). This act symbolized removing any distractions in following the Lord. 


That thought penetrated my heart. I was following God, but only half-heartedly because I still wanted my comforts, and God wanted ALL of me. Did I trust that God’s way was better than what I thought fulfilled me? 


True surrender requires sacrifice. A complete yielding of myself to God for his purpose and believing that His way is always the best. Since God gave up his life for me, it is the least I can do. 


As a living sacrifice, I have a choice. I can pursue my agenda, or willingly offer myself to God. I must give God my entire heart, not just pieces of it. It is a daily decision to worship God by laying down my desires and replacing them with God's desires. Just like Elisha willingly gave God all of his heart, that is what I needed to do. 


We prayed about selling our house. A few weeks later, out-of-the-blue, a lady knocked on our front door and asked if she could look at our house. (There was no For Sale sign in our yard.) After touring our house, she gave us an offer on the spot. 


Giving up my house was like Elisha slaughtering his oxen. 


As we serve God, are there some “oxen” that need slaughtered in our lives? May we say, “Lord, take all of us and use us for your glory.” 

Closing Prayer
Lord, thank you for your sacrifice of sending your Son to die in my place and for the gift of eternal life. I know you are good and know what is best for me, but sometimes I’m selfish. I want to hold onto my “oxen.” Please help me to lay them at your feet and give you my entire heart, not just pieces. Help me to keep focused on eternity and what really matters. I love you. Amen.
Resources
Book: Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Deibler Rose This book is an excellent example of a woman giving up everything to follow the Lord. Her incredible faith inspired me and challenged me to do the same.
Book: Mission Possible: The Story of a Wycliffe Translator By Marilyn Laszlow I have never read this book but have listened to CDs from Moody Bible Institute from her. They were excellent! She shares her stories of how she translates the Bible into their language and then how God changed their hearts.
Book: “M” Stories with the Millers by Mildred Martin This easy read book is full of true global worker stories. I read it to our kids during family devotions and felt challenged after each of the stories.
Book: Created for Commitment by A Wetherell Johnson This is a fascinating story of a woman sacrificing for God and her trust in Him throughout her life.
Question for Reflection

What is God calling you to surrender? Are there some “oxen” that need slaughtered for you to give him your complete heart?

Comments
Heidi J. Smith
February 03, 2022

My new house was my “oxen” before we left for the field. I felt like I had sacrificed enough, especially when I saw others accumulating more stuff. But as the Lord peeled back the selfish layers of my heart, I realized my fulfillment needed to be in Christ alone, not my stuff. Complete surrender to the Lord is worth it because He paid the ultimate sacrifice. Someday when I stand before Him, it won’t matter my bank account balance, how big or small my house was, or anything else, only that my name is written in the book of life and what I have done for Him.
Charles Spurgeon said, “It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus. We are not to be living specimens of men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices.”