A Few Random Thoughts on Sacrifice

A few weeks ago I was listening to "The Herd," on ESPN radio...and Colin Cowherd, (whom I do like and find pretty funny and who is one of the few guys on radio who while classically "over sure" of himself and his opinions, generally offers some fairly good perspective on things--if not revolutionary) made some comments on Ash Wednesday about Lent. What Lent was about, in very basic terms, how it involved giving something up, etc. Anyway, he brought up how this involved sacrifice. "Another reason," he noted, "I'm not big on religion." Continuing, he sized up his relationship to sacrificial living along these lines:

"I sacrifice everyday. I'm 42. I've got a family. I've got a good job. And I drive a Honda CRV everyday. If that's not sacrifice, I don't know what is."

That perspective didn't necessarily surprise me, but it's clarity did. And while I realize that he says such things to illicit response from listeners, I think he succinctly stated what, in reality, we, especially in the West, believe. We would never say it, and I think for most of us, we don't like the fact of it, but scratching below the surface of our false humility and proper social platitudes that dominate so much of our dialogue, lies this ugly reality. The big problem is that we end up, more often than not, assessing it in one of two ways:
1. We act like this is not really how we feel and, as a result, don't really have to question whether or not our attitudes and priorities need to change or be challenged.
2. We think such ways of living really are a great sacrifice.

Why do we do this? Because we cannot help but compare ourselves to anyone who has more or doesn't "sacrifice" in the ways we do. They have a new Lexus. They bought a whole home entertainment system with an LCD screen. They only have 2 kids and built a 4500 sq. ft. house. They have 40 pairs of shoes.
MEANWHILE, we (our poor, Mother Theresa in the West self), only drive a four year old Honda. We only have 200 cds, two ipods for me and my spouse (with the external speaker hook-ups), and high speed internet and cable, watched on our piddly 60" t.v. We only have a 3000 sq. ft. home...with 3 kids! We only have 10 different pairs of shoes. It's a wonder we are even alive.

We have made it so that in our country we maintain a very small paradigm in which to think or talk about sacrifice. We are a consumer culture...period. You are, I am, we are, "they" are. It is one of, if not the greatest, blocks to a deeper walk with Christ and more significant relationship with others. Why? Because to build a society around such a core value is antithetical to the Kingdom Jesus was/is about building in and through us. It is why we are so drawn to health & wealth preaching, thinking and praying in this country--whether this is explicitly or implicitly done(Ever concertedly asked for prayer that you would get the specific asking price for your house, if not more, when you were selling it? Ever really thought about why you needed that specific price?). Because our thoughts on blessing and the favor of God are wrapped up with a theology of the"American Dream." And even those of us who attempt to live even slightly outside of an overtly consumer mentality, still demand the cheapest prices for things (regardless of what that means about where the "cheap" things we buy are made, if the people who made them are paid a fair wage, if they are even old enough to be working, if they are voluntarily working or are forced to), and our right to get cafe lattes on demand.

Maybe we need to see sacrifice through a different lens. Is it sacrifice if it doesn't cost anything? Convenience? (Perceived) Safety? Best school district? Our sweet tooth? Things we own? Food preference? Employment "value" of our higher education cost?

Maybe God calls us, not in every instance but probably most, to things like the lower paying job. Healthier living at the cost of what we most enjoy eating. Getting rid of lots of our stuff--the good stuff, some of which we still even like but don't really need, so we don't need such a big house. Being a part of serving, living, and helping to change the rougher part of town at the cost of the best school district. Why? So that we might draw nearer to God and rely on Him more than our things. So that we might love others more than our stuff. So that we might reflect the values of the Kingdom of God and not the Empire of Man. So that we might experience life and life to the full here...now.

I am as guilty as anyone of ignoring such pleas on God's part to my heart. The pleas that come from his heart and his actions in coming to earth. But I must, you must, we must first admit that we are actively ignoring Him in our hearts, especially when it comes to talk of sacrifice.

Here's the link

Sorry. Forgot to put the link http://www.rightnow.org/

Been a long time

I know it's been a while since I last put anything up here, but no one reads this, so it doesn't really matter does it? I wish I was a more consistent writer, but I just don't feel like I have the time or mental energy to spend crafting witty thoughts and comments together on a daily basis. I don't know how some of these folks do it, unless it's written into their job description.

I have been thinking alot these days...I suppose that could be said for every day for just about every one of us. But my thoughts have been all over the place of late. But, of course, the most pertinent of things is what has drawn me out of hiding to actually type something today: the NCAA Tournament. Since my alma mater, Ohio State, is a number one seed i guess I'm excited. But I'm probably more nervous and pessimistic than excited....especially since the football team's debacle in the desert against Florida. I would much prefer to to be about a three seed with limited expectations. The other quandary I'm in with regard to the tourney is that my two other favorites, Xavier and Tennessee, happen to fall into the same small "sweet 16 possible" group with OSU. How much of a bummer is that? Well, at least I can say that a team I'm pulling for has a better than average shot of making it past the Sweet 16. But somehow, some way, probably none of them will. My pessimism runneth over.

Well...nothing like very "surfacy" sports thoughts to get the ball rolling again. But coming up in the next day or two: A Larry King like commentary on multiple topics, but with more commentary on each thing. Oh stop...You're salivating.

P.S. Go to the link...Has nothing to do with basketball. Everything to do with doing something with our lives that matters.