I was talking a friend the other day, and he was telling me about how he felt God had asked him to give up certain movies and certain music. At first, this kind of made me laugh inside, because I remember as a Christian teen destroying CDs and even comic books because I felt they were "Unchristian." But, after the conversation ended and I was home alone, God began moving in my spirit. I was reminded that while as a teen I had gotten rid of my music and comics, I did it out of a sense of duty and fear. But, my friend was giving up these "icons" in his life out of a sense of sacrifice and love for his creator. It can be compared to shaving and showering before going on a date or making sure your breath is fresh before you kiss your wife. The love of God enables us to lay down the dirt in our lives as a sacrifice. We don't do it so much because we are trying to gain his love. Rather, we do it BECAUSE we want to be "beautiful" for our bridegroom. I mean, you already know your wife loves you and you love her. You don't take that shower after doing yardwork to try and gain more love from her. You do it because you already love her and you want to see her smile and not run from the sweaty smell of you.


I say all that to say this. I am rediscovering the true reason for sacrifice. I lay down certain aspects of my life as a response to the love I have been given. That very love is the things that enables me to lay down my sins and my dirt. As I fall more for my God, the more other things lose their value.