Worth The Sacrifice

According to a national survey, Americans consume nearly 1.4 billion pounds of turkey during the holiday season. Of all the turkey companies in the US, one of the most iconic brands is Butterball. Did you know that Butterball has a Turkey Talk Line? No, I’m not kidding. Every year, the Butterball Turkey Talk Line answers more than 100,000 questions from distressed cooks on how to solve their turkey problems.

One call was from a distressed mother who had put her husband in charge of thawing the turkey while she worked late at her job. When she came home, she heard laughter coming from the upstairs. Walking into the bathroom, she found her husband bathing their twin boys with the turkey floating between them. “I’m just getting two jobs done at once” the husband explained.

Another caller was whispering on the phone and explained that her mother and mother-in-law were arguing in the kitchen about the “right” way to cook the turkey. When the Butterball rep explained the process, the daughter was so relieved. Her mother was the one doing it right!

It’s no secret that the holiday season can be stressful. It’s the time of year when families attempt to put aside their differences and choose to be together again.  Grandpa Fred and Uncle Charlie will once again be arguing about politics.  Aunt Annie will still be convinced that she makes the best pumpkin pie and no one has the heart to tell her otherwise. Grandma Edna will probably get offended if her dessert gets passed over for the latest sweet potato soufflé. The kids will be making lots of racket….etc.  Feeling cozy yet?

Why do we repeat this same ritual every year? Why do we shift in our chairs, trying to make conversation when someone has just blurted out another thoughtless comment? Why do we continue the charade that everything is merry and bright when we are feeling less than merry? We do this because it’s worth the sacrifice.

Sacrifice comes from two Latin words: sacra (sacred) and facere (to do). Sacrificial giving seems to be optional for some but God expects this from His children as their sacred duty. I’ve heard people say that they are hard-wired to speak their minds. If they think it, it’s just going to come out! Can I direct our attention to James chapter 3?

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 3:17-18

We could do an entire series on those two verses alone. First of all, the wisdom to make sacrificial choices comes from above. It’s not in you to know the right words to speak. We all need direction on how to conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner and James gives us the checklist:

• peaceable
• gentle
• easy to be intreated
• full of mercy
• without partiality
• without hypocrisy

To live by this checklist requires sacrificial giving on our part. The Christmas story itself was literally born out of sacrifice. I believe Mary and Joseph would have passed the checklist in James chapter 3. This young couple sacrificed their lifelong dreams of being a normal family when Mary said:

…Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word…

Luke 1:38

If you would have asked Mary, I believe she would have said, It’s worth the sacrifice. What about Heaven’s perspective? When God saw the manger, He also saw you and said: It’s worth the sacrifice. When He saw His Son being wrapped in rags, He saw your family member who is plagued with problems and said: “It’s worth the sacrifice.” Oh! That we would all come to that realization!

Several years ago an extended family member, who was heavily involved in drugs, gave his heart to the Lord. He was trying to make a fresh start in life and his living conditions were horrible. There were gaping holes in his mobile home and the winter weather made it a miserable place to live. The family saw his efforts and decided to help him get into a better place to live. As we were making the physical and financial sacrifices, the nagging question was ever-present: “Is this worth the sacrifice if Ricky goes back to his life of drugs again?” We all agreed that we were giving as unto the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

Ricky passed away just a few years afterward. While we are not his eternal judge, the family has peace knowing that we did everything we could to help. Yes, it was worth the sacrifice!

Dear Lord, please help us to be more like you as we prepare for this Christmas season. Give us wisdom that only comes from above. Help us to see that sacrificial giving is our sacred duty. We do this, not for the applause of men, but to hear You say: Well done, thou good and faithful servant. In Jesus’ name, Amen