I just recently watched a phenomenal movie named Lorenzo’s Oil. It’s amazing; really. Lorenzo’s Oil came out in the early 90’s starring Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon. It’s about a boy who develops a disease so rare(Adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD) that it’s virtually unheard of, and no one’s working on a cure. A diagnosis of ALD was a death sentence. His father and mother, unwilling to except this hopeless prognosis decided to learn all about the disease in order to find a cure, not only for there son, but for other boys who would develop this disease. It’s heart breaking to watch Lorenzo’s pain as well as the pain of his parents, but at the same time I was encouraged by Lorenzo’s parents relentless pursuit of a cure for their son. It was a painful reminder of how the church sometimes neglects to unify around families who are experiencing debilitating diseases, or life altering disabilities. It was also a reminder of just how big a role sacrifice plays in unifying our various communities.
It seems like whenever we talk about creating unity amongst ourselves, that we neglect to talk about how essential sacrifice is to creating that unity. Unity and sacrifice go hand in hand. Our limited understanding of what sacrifice is has hindered our unity. True sacrifice isn’t just giving up something or someone you love, but a sacrifice is a literal dying to self…laying down your own interest; giving up something or someone you love, on behalf of someone else. Someone who may never appreciate it, or deserve it. Sacrifice is knowing that the fruit of such sacrifices…true unity and community may not be seen on this side of heaven. Sacrifice, requires hope and endurance; all while keeping the greater good in mind. Hebrews 11:36-40
In order to have and nurture unity, within our communities, great sacrifices will be required…cost must be counted. Lorenzo, along with his parents realize the cost of the sacrifices that they must make, and this empowers them to endure through the pain for the greater good. We have a greater power than our will. We have the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that will empower us to make costly sacrifices, which will ultimately lead us to unity, and greater intimacy with each other and God.
Jesus made a great sacrifice when He died on the cross. We so easily forget that we are called to make sacrifices as well, for the sake of those hurting in our midst…for the sake of unity. Once we set our own desires aside, like Jesus we will truly be able to make life giving sacrifices; realizing that a life lived with out sacrifice is lived in opposition to the Gospel.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:4-8
The reminder that unity often demands sacrifice is timely. Living at Connect House with women in recovery has revealed my own selfishness and the need to sacrifice so that we are able to live at peace with one another. Since not everyone in the home is a Christian, we are not united in terms of faith. Instead, our common ground is found in our desire to support one another’s sobriety and continued recovery from addiction. In this context, I have been challenged to reconsider how I define sacrifice. When I first came to the home, I was so focused on building relationship, I did not ask the women what they wanted or needed from me as the House Mentor. My unwillingness to ask, revealed my assumption (i.e., I knew what they needed). What I later learned (when I listened) is that there was more for me to give. Specifically, they wanted more direction and structure. It came as a surprise and it required an unusual form of sacrifice from me. I had to get over my own desire to be liked on my own terms and I had to expand my understanding of what it meant to be supportive (as defined by those I was living with). I am now walking in at least three lessons as a result: 1. don’t assume, ask others and 2. let others have a say in what they need 3. it isn’t a sacrifice until it costs you something you prefer. Thanks for reminding me how come it is worth it to me to sacrifice!
I can so relate to 2. On your list. Letting others have a say in what they need is so hard for me. I’ve been realizing how much I like control the circumstances of others…to meet their needs how I would prefer to have my needs met. I wonder how not wanting to be out of control effects my willingness to live sacrificially?
Ashley… your post had me thinking about the role of individual sacrifice in the context of a greater positioning on the part of a group (the church?) to make the necessary sacrifices required to make unity a real possibility. I can think of nothing more counter-cultural than to design a church that proclaims proudly that it is not in existence to meet the needs of the individual. “You may not like the music, the preaching, or putting up with the noise of babies or the occasional outburst from one of developmentally delayed parishioners… but we’re not here to meet your needs, we’re here to form a community centered in Christ that realizes the power of unity when centered in self-sacrifice and consideration of others.” Yup… not exactly the church growth model. But, it’s a church I just might feel called to!
“We’re here to form a community centered in Christ that realizes the power of unity when centered in self sacrifice and consideration of others.” Amen Chris! I’m looking forward to the day when we’re able to sit our selfishness aside, and embrace being uncomfortable for the sake of sacrifice.
Loved what you wrote and what Serena and Chris added as well! There is a price to be paid for unity.
I’m realizing how high that price is each and every day.
Mentally I cannot fully comprehend the reality that my death will lead to better relational unity with others. You rightly say that to be united with others requires dying to myself, and that sacrifice is indispensable to relational unity. Certainly you are correct that it will take a powerful God to overcome self in me. Like a living sacrifice, I try to climb off the altar. Such relational unity, then, is possible only by asking God to move powerfully in my life, so that I become willing to die to my self. jp
I love your line “realizing a life lived without sacrifice is lived in opposition to the Gospel. Amen. That is the battle to not be so concerned with what we get out of a life with Christ but how we can love and serve others, sacrificially like our Savior. I also realize that to make the sacrifice we need to forgive, forgive those that hurt us like Jesus did on the cross and forgive their sin, giving them grace because they don’t know what they are doing. Thank you for your thoughts.