Rethinking Sacrifice: Submission and Surrender on the Flip Side by: Rev. Lula A. Baker

RETHINKING SACRIFICE: SUBMISSION & SURRENDER: ON THE FLIP SIDE

Rev. Lula A. Baker

Psalm 9:10-11 (NRSV) The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed a stronghold in the time of trouble. 11. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, oh Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

This Season of Lent has been like none other! One year ago, no one could have imagined the magnitude of the inter-pandemic. Covid-19’s devastation, social/civic unrest, economic oppression, political upheaval with voter suppression, and educational pandaemonium left us flabbergasted! We had more loss, struggle, stress, confusion, contention, and frustrations than we knew what to do with.

On the flip side, others prospered and faired exceptionally well during this period of uncertainty; wherever there is a crisis, there is commerce. Babies were born, virtual celebrations of birthdays, commencements, anniversaries, car blessings, housewarmings, showers, and drive-bys became our "new normal."

Somewhere in the middle of a presidential and gubernatorial campaign, the idea and slogan, a phrase we're fighting for, the "Soul of a Nation," emerged! Tell me, isn't that what Christ allowed himself to be executed for the Soul of us?? After all, is not the Soul the essence of man and the only thing that was worth Jesus' brutal beating, bruising, and death!! As a broken, wounded, despise rejected vessel of humanity full of divinity displayed his endless love for us, he was suspended between time and eternity; doesn't that warrant REAL SUBMISSION and TOTAL SURRENDER? Not just casual half/hearted suggestions of Holiness and meager attempts to appease our Saviour!

Rethinking Sacrifice, Submission, and Surrender, on the flip side, should compel Christians to reconsider how many more times we will give up the same something(s) that we have mastered. Then we applaud ourselves for another successful Lenten season self-aggrandized, fully puffy up as if God should be elated at our efforts!!

Reflections this year should resonate in ways that change the fabric of who we profess to be as Christians!

Year after year, we make decisions about the level and gravity of our Sacrifice! We spend time debating about superficial things rather than supernatural ones. Most often, we grapple more with how soon we can return to whatever we have deviated from rather than seeking to be delivered of!

A transformation is an impartation for a permanent change!!

Ask yourself as this time fades to "BLACK" and quietly slips into the record book after all JESUS has done for us just this past year. Is this the BEST I have to offer????