When you think of sacrifice, usually negative thoughts come to your mind: Loss. Usually we focus more on the LOSS than any other aspect of sacrifice. That day when we went out with Uncle Pak Soon, I learnt that sacrifice brings freedom not loss.
You see, when one sacrifices something dear to him, it shows that he is not slave to it. He has the freedom not to have it or do it. In Hong Kong's Noah's Ark children exhibition, there was a exhibit that asked you to clench your fist then open it and look at your palm. At first, it might sound like just a lame activity. But no, it had greater meaning. When you clench your fist to hold on tight on something dear to you, you might miss out on many things and when God pries it out of your hand you feel the hurt. But that hurt gives you freedom, just like salvation liberates you from sin.
Uncle Pak Soon also talked about a mutual friend of ours who was a dentist, Uncle J__. When Uncle J__ just got saved and my father wanted him to go to a church camp for a whole week, Uncle J__ wasn't too keen on losing his business for the whole week. My father than offered to compensate any shortfall of that month. And so, in the start of the month, business was slooow, but gradually things began to pick up and in the end, the whole month had no deficit. I was amazed at God's power and blessing. A few years later, during a major recession, Uncle J__'s wife was sick. Uncle J__ decided to only work a few afternoons a week so that his wife could rest (she helps him in the dentist office). Well, God honored his decision and that was his best year EVER! Uncle Pak Soon said that Uncle J__ has gone far because he learns more and more to give up things, leading to true freedom. He is no longer tied down by his work, preventing him from fulfilling more important responsibilities.
Just this afternoon, I was "itching" to watch Sik Gaek, but I had not accomplished my required two Abeka lessons. This caused me not to watch it during lunch. But as I sat there, I felt good. I felt great that I know I can don't watch when left to me. Because, it was very easy to excuse myself for that break: it's a Saturday, I already did some work, I'm just eating over lunch... and Dad and Mom wasn't around. Yet my love for Dad and my love for God kept me from it. I "sacrificed" the show but that gave me freedom and let me prove to myself my love and devotion to God.
Is there something in your life very dear to you? Are you willing to give it up? Not just in words but in action? I challenge you to give it to God and be willing to sacrifice it. Sacrifice for the right thing brings freedom and satisfaction in life.
