“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.” Romans 12:1
One of the first images that comes to mind when I read this passage from Romans was the choir at Bon Berger Eglise Lutherienne in Caredeux. This photo was taken in October 2010 which is the year of the horrible, deadly earthquake and sad to say, there were several voices missing. Back in the day, I was blessed to have sung with this group on a few occasions while living in Haiti. I am not certain if my voice was pleasing to God in the proper sense, probably brought joy to Him listening to my broken Creole; I tried.
When I look at the faces in the choir, see photos of the children attending that school and also think about several of you…the term ‘living sacrifice’ comes alive. Turning lives over to our Triune God is certainly not an easy thing to do; it is the right thing to do. This world will provide ample reasons why not to turn your life over to Christ and follow the foolishness of this age and the lies of satan.
Thank you for your sacrifice that feeds His children in Haiti. Thank you for the sacrifice you daily give to Him in the face of this fallen world. The following Offertory is sung by me every morning in my devotion as it reminds me of how important it is to always remember to joy of Salvation and I hope it is a part of your daily prayers as well.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me, cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.” Lutheran Hymnal
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay