We live in a world of instant gratification. And whenever we want something- we get it. My dad tells the story about how when I was little I saved up my allowance to buy a pair of binoculars. Instead of putting my money in the quarter toy machines, I saved up my money for these binoculars (which weren't that amazing. I mean, I don't even remember any of this). The bottom line of this story being, I sacrificed (in a very small matter) to get what I wanted. But now, in a world of credit cards...there isn't much room for sacrifice. Yes, the interest will add up. Yes, It won't be good for your credit score. But, we see ourselves as invincible beings. I mean, I know that I should save up for life after college. But...I really really want that iPhone. Or I really cannot live without this or that or whatever. We have no concept of the word sacrifice...because we've never had to do it. When all we have to do is call Mom or Dad if we get in a bind and need some help...we're not gonna get it. When all we have to do is swipe that piece of plastic...we're not gonna get it. When we do absolutely nothing and get whatever our hearts desire...we just aren't gonna get it.
Then, we read in our Bibles about Jesus telling his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow Him. We read about how we need to die to ourselves. We read all this stuff that sounds so great...and we just don't get it. I mean, we prefer to think that God would like us to be happy than to think that God may require us to sacrifice something. But, after all...God already gave His sacrifice, in the form of Jesus. The only thing that's left is for us to follow Him. And to do that requires sacrifice. It's a completely foreign concept in America, the world of instant gratification. But, just imagine what life would be like if we lived a life of sacrifice. How would our lives look different? How would our churches look different? How would our communities look different if we all put ourselves and our comforts last and sacrificed for the sake of the Savior?
Just what's mingling around in my little mind.
Off to finish that homework. :)
I was already saying "Amen" in my mind after your first sentence.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. We don't have any concept of sacrifice. And it's difficult to learn because there are so many ways of getting what we want here in the US. I spent this year more broke than most college students, and it was incredibly difficult. I scrimped. And now that I have a job, it's good to see that that mentality of saving money and only spending it when it matters hasn't gone away, that I'm keeping for the important things. Money, rather than being the ticket to the lifestyles we feel we deserve, should really be the where we sacrifice the most.