I got to catch up with a dear friend last week. She provided a safe space for me to pour out my heart, and then she boldly spoke truth and courage, wisdom and grace. I laughed, I cried, and I was inspired to keep going.

A couple themes emerged from that conversation, and I’ve continued to reflect on them. One is God’s faithful provision over the past 21 years. He’s never let me down; He’s never failed. He has been present and caring.

Another highlight is sacrifice. There are things we’ve had to say no to, things we’ve had to lay down. And there are also things that I’ve been clinging to that I need to let go of. 

I had this invading thought over the weekend: “I will not sacrifice that which costs me nothing.”

Spoiler alert: It’s found in the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 21:24 (NIV), King David replies to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”

Sacrifice isn’t easy; it shouldn’t be. It’s choosing to lay something down, something meaningful, for the sake of someone else. It’s costly. If it wasn’t, would it be a sacrifice?

It’s a timely theme, since today is Ash Wednesday. We’re entering into this season of Lent as we journey toward the cross – the ultimate sacrifice. 

The question often gets asked: “What are you giving up for Lent?” And the question I’m being challenged by: “Who am I becoming this Lent?”

I don’t think physical reminders are bad; in fact, I appreciate them. But the waters get muddied when we treat Lent like a checklist. 

We’re invited to experience something (Someone) greater.  

As I looked for that verse about the cost of a sacrifice, a few other passages were brought to my attention:

• “But Samuel replied, ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’” – 1 Samuel 15:22
• “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6
• “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
• “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:15-16

Some keys to pull out of these verses are obedience and mercy. The Old Testament “sacrifices” carried quite a different meaning. I don’t believe God was interested in the blood of the animals as much as He was in the hearts of the people. And the same is true today, except that we have Jesus. He stood in the gap, He laid down His life, He made a way for us to have a relationship with God the Father. Now we can offer up a sacrifice of praise, a thank offering to the One who rescued us. 

God still calls us to lay down our lives, to pick up our cross, to follow Him. There’s not a formula; it’s all based on relationship. A sacrifice for me will likely not be the same as a sacrifice for you. Ask Him what He’s asking you to lay down at His feet. Trust Him to provide. Spend time with Him.

“God seems more interested in what we are becoming than in what we are giving up. As David sang,

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)”

– from 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole

Three songs that are inspiring me this week:

• Costly by Naomi Raine 
• The Story I’ll Tell also by Naomi Raine (P.S. I love the version by Nightbirde) 
• Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Maverick City Music 

Three of my favorite Lent resources:

• Literally anything by Kate Bowler (This year I’m reading Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!)
• 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole 
• Bitter & Sweet by Tsh Oxenreider