Today’s Reading is Romans 12:1 - 2
12 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. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
As I read the first verse, I wonder how I might measure up as a living sacrifice in God’s eyes. If God had a living sacrifice checklist I wonder how I would do, let’s take a look at what that might look like from God’s perspective.
- Did he spend time with me today? We did have a good conversation during prayer time. He did read my word and even did the blog. I hope God would say this was pleasing to him.
- Did he love my people? He missed a couple of opportunities that I put before him to witness to people that were hurting. He also didn’t offer up exploregod.com to people that could have used it. I would say he was probably a little disappointed in me.
- Did he manage my money well today? He didn’t really overspend on anything extravagant, but he also held onto my money and didn’t give it to that homeless person on the corner that was hungry. He did tithe from the first of my check and not what was left over after his bills. God was probably thinking I was being too much of a reservoir with His money and would hope I would do better.
I’m sure there are many other opportunities that God puts before us to be pleasing living sacrifices. I think it’s important that we try to look at ourselves as honestly as we can from God’s eyes. If you’re wondering I’m sure your spouse would be willing to help you identify how you’re doing, or maybe ask a friend.
If we’re trying to do things that will help us fit in when we’re dealing with others, we may actually be going against God. We’re not called to live an easy life or one that turns us into a chameleon that changes depending who we’re hanging out with. We’re called to live life as God has called us and to be His light showing love and acceptance to all. If we could always look at ourselves through God lenses, I’m sure we would make a lot of different choices in our lives. How did you do today as a living sacrifice?
Dave