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Instant Message
Sweet Sacrifices
by Clare Cartagena (Clare's bio)
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Gina eyed the last of the two Twinkies on the napkin. “Are you going to eat that?” she asked.
“This Twinkie?” Sammy picked it up and pretended to hug it.
“Yeah.” Gina put on her best face complete with pout and sad eyes. If tears were necessary she could do that too. That worked on her dad for extra money or a trip to the mall.
“You're milking it big time,” Sammy said. “But I've had my taste buds warmed up for this delicious baby ever since I ate the last one, three minutes ago. Should I give it up just because you're begging?”
“No, not for that reason,” Gina said with a quick smile. “How about because you love me so much?” Sammy was quiet a few moments then he handed it to her.
“For love, I make the sacrifice.”
Way to go Sammy, make the right move but is giving up your second Twinkie to the one you love really a sacrifice? Now if you just dropped the first one on the floor and your best friend wanted the other maybe. But what if you were on a field trip and your least favorite person forgot his lunch and everyone was pitching in and all he needed was a little desert? Is that a sacrifice? Better yet, you're trapped in a cave and you ate the first Twinkie two days ago and the second one is the last food you have but your enemy has eaten nothing. Is giving it to him a sacrifice? At what point does that tasty morsel of cake become something so valuable that to give it up is costly? Seems to me it has something to do with who gains from your pain.
Who knew a Twinkie could have so much worth? Jesus knew all about maximizing that kind of sugar power. In Luke 6:32 he says, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” Sounds like giving a cake to your sweetheart or friend. Jesus goes on to say in verse thirty-five, “But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting anything back.” Ouch! When is the last time you thought about doing that? But if you do, “then your reward will be great. You will be sons of the Most High…”. You'll be counted as one God's kids.
If that doesn't get you ready to run out and make some radical sacrifices then consider this. WDJD. Okay, it's changed a bit. That's, “what did Jesus do”? Want to know? “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” We were not his friends. We were his enemies. Enemies are not nice. They attack, corrupt, seek to destroy and hurt. Didn't think of yourself that way? Before you accepted Jesus that's what you were. But God loved you enough that He sent His only Son to be a sacrifice for you. Who gained from His pain?
Think about that next time you're required to give up some pride, some rights, some status or even a bite to eat. Jesus gave an invitation to stand up and be counted as one of His own. Ask God to give you the love He has for the lost, for those still enemies of God and see if you don't start giving without worrying if it's worth it.
Copyright 2003, Clare Cartagena. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About Clare Cartagena: Clare Cartagena is an award winning published author of devotionals and short stories. Her life is full with her husband of fourteen years, two preteen children, and a career as a chemist. The Lord has captured her heart and drawn her into youth ministry at her church, Church for the Valley, Assembly of God. She considers it a privilege to lovingly support God's most exciting generation of youth ever that not one should perish or miss the awesome love of their Creator. E-mail Clare at ccarta1058@aol.com |
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