“Your children are not with you? You left them in America?” 

My husband and I heard this from Afghans (and even U.S. friends and family) on a regular basis when we moved to Kabul in 2005. I hated the question, because each time I had to shield my heart from the pain of missing of my three semi-launched, precious young adult children.  

A recent Genesis study reminded me of Abraham and his willingness to slay his only son, who was promised to begin the legacy of God’s nation. Such a familiar story, even to Muslims (though they believe Ishmael was the co-star in the drama). With such repeated promises about Isaac and the future he represents, it’s hard to fathom God asked Abraham to kill him on that altar.

Besides the Abraham/Isaac example, I have always been impacted by Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler (Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18). When the man asked what he needed to do to achieve everlasting life with God, Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. He couldn’t do it, and Jesus let him walk away, both sad. 

Isn’t daily obedience in the midst of regular challenges enough to prove our devotion and our faith? Why does God set up sacrifice scenarios for us? 

Certainly, God doesn’t need our possessions or our children. Requiring sacrifices from us is a test, and not just a test of obedience. More than that, it tests our faith that anything we give up is better for us, and that our priorities need to be checked. God knows if something has a higher place in our heart than Him and that is not the best for us. 

Any sacrifice God asks for is mysteriously a good thing because it draws us closer to him and away from any worshipped earthly focus. Nobody enjoys a test, but with careful reflection, we can score a good result by checking our priorities and looking fully to our loving, wise Father God.