Offering: Sacrifice Self Towards Purpose

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32

I love to have my alone time. I rather cherish it a bit more than maybe I should. My “me” time is one of my ways I self-care. When I was a young girl, I would spend hours alone walking in the woods throughout our property. It was there that I felt closer to God than anywhere else. As I grew older, family, friends, work, and the responsibilities of life snuffed out my alone time. The things of this world directed my priority list. What I didn’t realize is the “to be” and “to do” list became most important. There was no more time spent alone, to be still and reflect. There were no more intimate conversations with God the way I used to. I truly was fitting him in as something else to check off on my list.  It became more of a survival time, living to be and do what everyone expected of me. My time spent with God became more of a list of orders I needed him to take care of. “God take care of this, do this, help them...,” I forgot just to stop and listen and let him speak to me. I wasn’t reading the compass anymore to see the direction I was supposed to be heading. Which led me to lead others sometimes in the wrong direction. I felt empty at times, struggled with anxiety, depression, and several crippling strongholds. Never feeling complete or enough for others.

I was missing out on something special. When I had made the time to be alone when I was younger, my personal relationship with God brought me happiness and a sense of certainty of my worth.

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

God’s love for me is unchanging and everlasting. He waited for me even though I didn’t make him a priority. And maybe after my heavenly Father had a little eye roll, as I rattled off my to do list for him, he still delighted in me. He rejoices at the mere action of seeking him. It finally came to my attention that it was healthy to take that alone time with him. It felt selfish at times, and sometimes you must take the time to make healthier choices that can affect others around you.

Offering yourself and your time can begin with giving thanks and praise to our Lord and Savior. Acknowledge your purpose to serve God and others he surrounds you with. Put yourself entirely in the Creators hands and let God know that you are at the disposal to further the Kingdom. Then put your thoughts, and words into action. Offer yourself, and purpose will reveal itself when you least expect it. Watch out because it happens at the most inconvenient times. When this happens, you’ll know it. You won’t have time to think about not being enough because you are being used for God’s glory! Only the Creator can complete you with perfect and unconditional love. Fulfillment comes in the form of purpose.  And only the Almighty is the true conductor in leading you there.

Two Ways to Sacrifice Self for Purpose:

1.      Self-Care – Be Intentional about some alone or quiet time.

Jesus made sure he had some alone time to pray, to sleep, to rest, and to prepare. We are giving a sabbath to rest before the busy week. We are not created to function without it. Serving others is only good when we are not resentful, tired, or angry that we should serve. Take care of your spiritual health as well as your emotional, and physical health. Be the best “YOU” that God created you to be.

“And it came to pass in those days, that he (Jesus) went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 NIV

2.      Value Time – Pray for God to open your eyes in making time for others when you don’t feel you have the time to give.

I know this sounds impossible. But remember fulfillment comes in the form of purpose. The key word here is value...

·         Value your time in prayer

·         Value your time in his presence

·         Value your time in preparation to connect with others

o   If you have places to be and things to do, invite the ones you feel called to connect with along. (Example: I need to eat lunch, invite them to work for your hour break to eat with you., If you need to take a child to their game, invite them to meet you there and you can chat and cheer your child on together! If you need to take a drive to pick something up, have them come along for the car ride. It’s a great way for you to be the listener for a friend.)

Reflection Questions:

1. What are you doing to spend quality time with The Father Almighty and Creator of heaven and earth?

2a.      Do you value your time?     

• In prayer?

• In God’s presence?

• Preparation to connect with others?

2b.  If not, what is standing in the way?    

3.  What needs to change in your daily schedule to make time or space for alone and quiet time self-care?

 Offer yourself, and purpose will reveal itself when you least expect it.