We sang a new song at church. Well, it was new to me. Very thought-provoking. I scribbled down some of the words. Google is such a great way to find words to a song or look up a quote used in a message. I found it on the Vineyard music site.
If You say go, we will go
If You say wait, we will wait
If You say step out on the water
And they say it can’t be done
We’ll fix our eyes on You and we will come
Diane Thiel (2002 mercy/vineyard)
I remember someone teaching on Romans 12:1-2:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.
He made the comment that the problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps trying to crawl off the altar. I think that describes my current state as a living sacrifice — crawling off, retracting my attitude of surrender.
Not all at once. I’m too “polished” as a follower of Jesus to do it all at once. No, it happens little by little, one small decision at a time. Just a little boundary around my heart. Bypassing a little opportunity to serve. Putting myself first just a little.
Maybe I’m not crawling completely off the altar, but I’m sure wriggling around a lot. I don’t want to be a wriggly sacrifice. Father, today I renew my commitment to being a living sacrifice, acceptable and pleasing to you. Because of your mercy. Because of your sacrifice.
great post, dad! i often think of a picture of Christ as the sacrifice that walked onto the altar, freely, whereas i have to be dragged up there, wriggling away, and have to be bound in order to remain. not quite the obedience called for…