Love consumes us only in the measure of our self surrender. St. Therese Lisieux
We have come to the final chapter of The Set-apart Woman. I have been convicted many times during our study of this book. One question stands out in this chapter: Are you continuing to embrace selfish pursuits, or are you ready to live a life of sacrificial love?
If you choose sacrificial love, it will soon become overwhelming to see all the needs around us – in our communities and around the world. Leslie said, “If you surrender your body, your life, your time, and your resources to His purposes, you can be sure that He will open your eyes to the ways in which He desires you to become His hands and feet.”
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Have I been living selfishly?
2. Do I feel God calling me to a lifestyle of sacrificial love?
3. What are some practical steps I can begin taking?
4. Am I willing to get out of my comfort zone in order to do this?
I liked Leslie’s admonition to be a Christian, not a humanitarian. She describes a humanitarian as one who “showcases the good side of humanity and celebrates our human ability to make the world a better place without God’s help or involvement. It has nothing to do with the glory of God, and everything to do with the glory of man."
About choosing to be a Christian she says, “The Gospel is both spiritual and practical. We can’t just preach to others about Jesus; we must also do the works that Jesus did. But as we tend to people’s physical needs, we must not overlook their much deeper need for salvation of the soul.”
We can look at our community, our nation and the world around us and wonder what good could come about with only two hands and feet. However, “Each step of sacrificial love will expand your capacity to take on even bigger burdens for the Kingdom of God (Leslie Ludy).”
I’m moving to the side of Sacrificial Love…which side do you choose?
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