We were seeing a movie together as a family recently when someone mentioned living sacrifice. Out of curiosity, my daughter asked what a living sacrifice means. After explaining the literal meaning of living sacrifice to her, I went unto to teach her the scriptural implication of it. Indeed, we all must become a living sacrifice to God.
Friend, are you a living sacrifice? The difference between a living sacrifice and a dead one is that a living sacrifice can roll off the altar. Presenting yourself as a living sacrifice means that you have the will to choose not to be sacrificed, but you chose to be sacrificed. Jesus was the first living sacrifice, Isaac was the second. You should be the third (Genesis 22:7-10, John 10:18, Romans 12:1-2, Revelation 13:8).
Like Isaac, can you allow yourself to be bound by your Father God without reacting or running away? Can you cooperate with God to make you? The clay got marred in the hands of the Potter, not because the Potter was unskillful, but the clay did not allow itself to be handled properly (Jeremiah 18:4). Don’t allow yourself to be marred in God’s hand.
Your journey with God should end in glory. If it ends otherwise, the problem would not be God but you (Romans 8:28-30). You either follow God and follow Him well, or you don’t follow Him at all. Not following God well can make someone to be marred. It is a subtle work of the devil to make you miss your opportunity during your formative years.
The Potter determines what He wants to make the clay based on what He intends to use it for. Our will, ego, pride, intelligence, etc, are part of the things that want to fight our making process, but we must surrender by God’s grace. Live life focused and undistracted so you don’t end up being marred. Some people are in their making season but are living as though they are in their getting season (Luke 15:11-20).
When God is moulding us and making our destiny, it will most times appear as though it is the work of man (Genesis 32:24-30). God will not come down to mould you. He will use people and processes. You must learn to see God in men if you would fulfil destiny. Stop fighting the person or process ordained by God to make you (Genesis 32:24-30).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria